engine

Meaning

Noun

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

Verb

1. (dated, transitive) To equip with an engine; said especially of steam vessels.
2. (obsolete, transitive) To assault with an engine.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To contrive; to put into action.

Synonyms

motor

machine

locomotive

machinery

mechanism

locomotive engine

mechanical device

motor

railway locomotive

steam engine

motor

tool

device

implement

piece

piston engine

E

prop

propeller

propulsion

set

steam locomotive

🚂

tractor

🚜

train

🚋

turbine

utensil

weapon

weapon system

put-put

railway engine

thermal machine

marine machinery

motorshipengine

powerhouse

apparatus

arm

artillery

camera

📷

facility

gadget

gas-engine

generator

gismo

heat engine

instrument

medium

mover

Translations

moteur

Motor

motore

motor

motor

μηχανή

motor

Maschine

locomotive

macchina

κινητήρας

machine

Lokomotive

locomotiva

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɛnd͡ʒɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: engyn

In summary

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.

Sentences

We were only half a mile from the destination when the engine packed in .