engine — English Dictionary

Noun

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

   Examples

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

2. A tool; a utensil or implement.

   Usage

   • Archaic

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   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 [...].

   What if the Foot, ordain'd the duſt to tread, / Or Hand, to toil, aſpir'd to be the Head? / What if the Head, the Eye, or Ear repin'd / To ſerve mere Engines to the ruling Mind?

3. A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects.

   Synonyms

   drivemotor

4. A person or group of people which influence a larger group; a driving force.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   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.

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. A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track. A locomotive.

   Usage

   • usually

8. A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).

   Examples

   a graphics engine

   a physics engine

9. Ingenuity; cunning, trickery, guile.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

10. The result of cunning; something ingenious, a contrivance; (in negative senses) a plot, a scheme.

    Usage

    • Obsolete

    Examples

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

11. Natural talent; genius.

    Usage

    • Obsolete

12. Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent.

    Examples

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

    You ſee the ways the Fiſher-man doth take / To catch the Fiſh; what Engins doth he make?

Verb

1. To equip with an engine; said especially of steam vessels.

   Usage

   • Dated
   • Transitive

   Examples

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

2. To assault with an engine.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   to engine and batter our walls

3. To contrive; to put into action.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

Noun

1. motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

   Broader terms

   motor

2. something used to achieve a purpose

   Broader terms

   causal agentcausecausal agency

   Examples

   an engine of change

3. a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks

   Synonyms

   locomotivelocomotive enginerailway locomotive

   Broader terms

   self-propelled vehicle

4. an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.

   Broader terms

   instrument

   Examples

   medieval engines of war