engine

¹en·gine

noun \ˈen-jən\

Definition of ENGINE

1

obsolete a : ingenuity b : evil contrivance : wile

2

a : something used to effect a purpose : agent, instrument <mournful and terrible engine of horror and of crime — E. A. Poe> b : something that produces a particular and usually desirable result <engines of economic growth>

3

a : a mechanical tool: as (1) : an instrument or machine of war (2) obsolete : a torture implement b : machinery c : any of various mechanical appliances —often used in combination <fire engine>

4

: a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion; also : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source <black holes may be the engines for quasars>

5

: a railroad locomotive

6

: computer software that performs a fundamental function especially of a larger program

— en·gine·less adjective

Examples of ENGINE

1. The car has a four-cylinder engine.
2. tanks, planes, and other engines of war
3. The tax cut could be an engine of economic growth.

Origin of ENGINE

Middle English engin, from Anglo-French, from Latin ingenium natural disposition, talent, from in- + gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to ENGINE

Synonyms: machine, motor

Related Words: converter, transformer; appliance, mechanism; equipment, tool; mill

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Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction