1. engine(n = noun.artifact) - motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work;
is a kind of motor
has parts: camshaft, gear, gearing, geartrain, power train, train
has particulars: aircraft engine, automobile engine, auxiliary engine, donkey engine, generator, heat engine, reaction-propulsion engine, reaction engine
Derived form noun engineer2
2. engine(n = noun.phenomenon) - something used to achieve a purpose; "an engine of change"
is a kind of causal agency, causal agent, cause
3. engine(n = noun.artifact) locomotive, locomotive engine, railway locomotive - a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks;
is a kind of self-propelled vehicle
has parts: buffer, cowcatcher, fender, pilot, footplate
is a member of railroad train, train
has particulars: choo-choo, diesel locomotive, dinkey, dinky, electric locomotive, iron horse, pilot engine, shunter, steam locomotive, donkey engine, switch engine, tank engine, tank locomotive, traction engine
Derived form noun engineer2
4. engine(n = noun.artifact) - an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.; "medieval engines of war"
is a kind of instrument
has particulars: battering ram, arbalest, arbalist, ballista, bricole, catapult, mangonel, onager, trebuchet, trebucket
1. Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; a machine; an agent. Shak. [1913 Webster]
"(Pronounced, in this sense,
"A man hath sapiences three,
Memory, engine, and intellect also." [1913 Webster]
2. Any instrument by which any effect is produced; especially, an instrument or machine of war or torture. Sir W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster]
"You see the ways the fisherman doth take
To catch the fish; what engines doth he make?" [1913 Webster]
"Their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust." [1913 Webster]
3. A compound machine by which any physical power is applied to produce a given physical effect. [1913 Webster]
1. To assault with an engine. [1913 Webster]
"To engine and batter our walls." [1913 Webster]
2. To equip with an engine; -- said especially of steam vessels; as, vessels are often built by one firm and engined by another. [1913 Webster]
3. (Pronounced, in this sense, Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
engine, n.
1 a mechanical contrivance consisting of several parts working together, esp. as a source of power.
2 a a railway locomotive. b = fire-engine. c = steam engine.
3 archaic a machine or instrument, esp. a contrivance used in warfare.
Idiom:
engine-driver the driver of an engine, esp. a railway locomotive. engine-room a room containing engines (esp. in a ship).
Derivative:
engined adj. (also in comb.). engineless adj.
Etymology:
OF engin f. L ingenium talent, device: cf. INGENIOUS
N instrument, machinery, mechanism, engineering, instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill, air engine, caloric engine, heat engine, gear, tackle, tackling, rig, rigging, apparatus, appliances, plant, materiel, harness, trappings, fittings, accouterments, barde, equipment, equipmentage, appointments, furniture, upholstery, chattels, paraphernalia, mechanical powers, lever, leverage, mechanical advantage, crow, crowbar, handspike, gavelock, jemmy, jimmy, arm, limb, wing, oar, paddle, pulley, wheel and axle, wheelwork, clockwork, wheels within wheels, pinion, crank, winch, cam, pedal, capstan, wheel, inclined plane, wedge, screw, spring, mainspring, can hook, glut, heald, heddle, jenny, parbuckle, sprag, water wheel, handle, hilt, haft, shaft, heft, shank, blade, trigger, tiller, helm, treadle, key, turnscrew, screwdriver, knocker, hammer, edge tool, borer, vice, teeth, nail, rope, peg, support, spoon, arms, oar, cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph, instrumental, mechanical, machinal, brachial.
air engine, aircraft engine, automobile engine, auxiliary engine, bogie engine, diesel engine, donkey engine, engine block, engine cooling system, engine driver, engine failure, engine room, epitrochoidal engine, external-combustion engine, fanjet engine, fire engine, four-stroke engine, four-stroke internal-combustion engine, gas engine, gasolene engine, gasoline engine, heat engine, internal-combustion engine, ion engine, jet engine, locomotive engine, otto engine, pilot engine, radial engine, radiant engine, ramjet engine, reaction engine, reaction-propulsion engine, reciprocating engine, rocket engine, rotary engine, search engine, semiradial engine, steam engine, switch engine, tandem engine, tank engine, traction engine, trunk engine, turbofan engine, turbojet engine, valve-in-head engine, wankel engine, wankel rotary engine, water engine