I. ˈenjə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English engin, from Old French, skill, trick mechanical contrivance, from Latin ingenium natural capacity, natural disposition, from in + -genium (akin to Latin gignere to beget) — more at kin
1. obsolete
a. : natural capacity : ability , skill
b. : ingenuity or an instance or product of it ; often : cunning or evil contrivance : artifice , wile
all the engines of her wit — Edmund Spenser
2. archaic : something that is used to effect a purpose : agent , means , method
all these engines of lust — Shakespeare
3.
a. : a mechanical contrivance or tool: as
(1) : an instrument or machine of war
(2) obsolete : a torture implement ; especially : rack
(3) obsolete : a net, trap, or similar device
(4) obsolete : machine 1e
b. : machinery , apparatus
c. : any of various mechanical appliances — often used in combination; see fire engine , rose engine , ruling engine
4. : a machine for converting energy (in such forms as heat, chemical energy, nuclear energy, radiation energy, and the potential energy of elevated water) into mechanical force and motion
5. : a railroad locomotive
6. : engine company
Synonyms: see machine
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English enginen to contrive, deceive, from Old French engignier. from engin
1. obsolete : contrive , plan
2.
[ engine (I) ]
: to equip with an engine
such planes were not engined for high-altitude combat
a 4- engined bomber
III. noun
1. : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source
the best candidate for the central engine of quasars is a black hole — M.J.Rees
2. : computer software that performs one or more fundamental functions especially of a larger program
a database engine