I. ˈen-jən noun
Etymology: Middle English engin, from Anglo-French, from Latin ingenium natural disposition, talent, from in- + gignere to beget — more at kin
Date: 13th century
1. obsolete
a. : ingenuity
b. : evil contrivance : wile
2.
a. : something used to effect a purpose : agent , instrument
mournful and terrible engine of horror and of crime — E. A. Poe
b. : something that produces a particular and usually desirable result
engine s of economic growth
3.
a. : a mechanical tool: as
(1) : an instrument or machine of war
(2) obsolete : a torture implement
b. : machinery
c. : any of various mechanical appliances — often used in combination
fire engine
4. : a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion ; also : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source
black holes may be the engine s for quasars
5. : a railroad locomotive
6. : computer software that performs a fundamental function especially of a larger program
• en·gine·less adjective
II. transitive verb
( en·gined ; en·gin·ing )
Date: 1868
: to equip with engines