Engine Definition

ĕnjĭn
engines
noun
engines
Any machine that uses energy to develop mechanical power; esp., a machine for transmitting motion to some other machine.
Webster's New World
Such a machine distinguished from an electric, spring-driven, or hydraulic motor by its use of a fuel.
American Heritage
Any instrument or machine; apparatus.
Engines of warfare, engines of torture.
Webster's New World
A railroad locomotive.
Webster's New World
Any means or device.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
To equip with an engine or engines.
American Heritage

(dated) To equip with an engine; said especially of steam vessels.

Vessels are often built by one firm and engined by another.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Engine

Noun

Singular:
engine
Plural:
engines

Origin of Engine

  • From Anglo-Norman engine, Old French engin (“skill, cleverness, war machine”), from Latin ingenium (“innate or natural quality, nature, genius, a genius, an invention, in Late Latin a war-engine, battering-ram”), from ingenitum, past participle of ingignere (“to instil by birth, implant, produce in”). Compare gin, ingenious.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English engin skill, machine from Old French innate ability from Latin ingenium genə- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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