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Engine

//ˈɪnd͡ʒɪn// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A large construction used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult etc.

    "Their warlike Engins and munition Exceed the forces of their martial men."

  2. 2
    motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work wordnet
  3. 3
    A tool; a utensil or implement. archaic

    "Flattery must be the most powerful Argument that cou'd be used to Human Creatures. Making use of this bewitching Engine, they extoll'd the Excellency of our Nature above other Animals [...]."

  4. 4
    an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc. wordnet
  5. 5
    A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects.
Show 11 more definitions
  1. 6
    a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks wordnet
  2. 7
    A person or group of people which influence a larger group; a driving force.

    "In France, the parliament soon became a mere engine in the hands of a few high-born and ambitious men, who had nothing in common with its interests, which were those of the people."

  3. 8
    something used to achieve a purpose wordnet
  4. 9
    The part of a car or other vehicle which provides the force for motion, now especially one powered by internal combustion.
  5. 10
    A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track.
  6. 11
    A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track.; A locomotive. usually
  7. 12
    A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).

    "a graphics engine"

  8. 13
    Ingenuity; cunning, trickery, guile. obsolete
  9. 14
    The result of cunning; something ingenious, a contrivance; (in negative senses) a plot, a scheme. obsolete

    "Therefore this craftie engine he did frame, / Againſt his praiſe to ſtirre vp enmitye [...]."

  10. 15
    Natural talent; genius. obsolete
  11. 16
    Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent.

    "[...] their promiſes, entiſements, oathes, tokens, and all theſe engines of luſt [...]."

Verb
  1. 1
    To equip with an engine; said especially of steam vessels. dated, transitive

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

  2. 2
    To assault with an engine. obsolete, transitive

    "to engine and batter our walls"

  3. 3
    To contrive; to put into action. obsolete, transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English engyn, 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”), related to ingignō (“to instil by birth, implant, produce in”). Compare gin, ingenious, engineer.

Etymology 2

From Middle English engyn, 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”), related to ingignō (“to instil by birth, implant, produce in”). Compare gin, ingenious, engineer.

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