Ĕn'gine, n.
(ĕn'jin), n. [Fr. engin, skill, machine, engine, Pr. engin, engenh, O. Sp. engeno, Sp. ingenio, Pg. engenho, It. ingegno, from Lat. ingenium, natural capacity, invention. See INGENIOUS.]
- (Mech.) A compound machine or mechanical contrivance by which any physical power is applied to produce a given physical effect.
- Any instrument by which any effect is produced; especially, one designed to wound and kill. “Terrible engines of death.” Raleigh.
- Any thing used to effect a purpose; means; agent. “An engine fit for my proceedings.” Shak.
Engine lathe (Mach.), a lathe with automatic feed, for turning metal.—Engine tool, a machine tool. Whitworth. ☞ The term engine is more commonly applied to massive machines, or to those of great power, or which produce some difficult result. It takes, in composition, other words, designating either the source of power, as steam engine, air engine, caloric engine, electro-magnetic engine; or the purpose to which it is applied, as fire engine, pumping engine, locomotive engine, calculating engine; or some peculiarity of construction, operation, or use, as single-acting or double-acting engine, high-pressure or low-pressure engine.