Etymology 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.
A large construction used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult etc.
Their warlike Engins and munition Exceed the forces of their martial men.c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act IIII, scene i:
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 [...].1714, Bernard Mandeville, The Fable of the Bees:
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?1733, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], epistle I, London: […] J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC, page 15, lines 248–251:
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A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects.
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A person or group of people which influence a larger group; a driving force.
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.1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter VII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 75:
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The part of a car or other vehicle which provides the force for motion, now especially one powered by internal combustion.
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A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track.
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Usually A locomotive.
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Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).
Obsolete The result of cunning; something ingenious, a contrivance; (in negative senses) a plot, a scheme.
Therefore this craftie engine he did frame, / Againſt his praiſe to ſtirre vp enmitye [...].1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, page 193:
Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent.
[...] their promiſes, entiſements, oathes, tokens, and all theſe engines of luſt [...].c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v], page 243, column 1:
You ſee the ways the Fiſher-man doth take / To catch the Fiſh; what Engins doth he make?1678, John Bunyan, “The Author’s Apology for His Book”, in The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC:
Etymology 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.
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Dated To equip with an engine; said especially of steam vessels.
Vessels are often built by one firm and engined by another.