engine

Meanings

Noun

• A large construction used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult etc.
• A tool; a utensil or implement.
• A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects.
• A person or group of people which influence a larger group; a driving force.
• The part of a car or other vehicle which provides the force for motion, now especially one powered by internal combustion.
• A self-powered vehicle, especially a locomotive, used for pulling cars along a track.
• A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).
• Ingenuity; cunning, trickery, guile.
• The result of cunning; something ingenious, a contrivance; (in negative senses) a plot, a scheme.
• Natural talent; genius.
• Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent.

Verb

• To equip with an engine; said especially of steam vessels.
• To assault with an engine.
• To contrive; to put into action.
• To rack; to torture.

Related

Similar words

• motor
• locomotive

Origin

• 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 {{cog")) a war-engine, battering-ram}}, from ingenitum, past participle of ingignō. Compare gin, ingenious.