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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Engineer

Ĕn'gi-neer',, n.

noun

n. [O. Eng. enginer, O. Fr. enginier, N. Fr. ingénieur. See supra.]

Sense 1. A person skilled in the principles and practice of engineering, either civil or military.

Civil engineer, a person skilled in the science of engineering, who designs and superintends the construction of public work or machinery. See ENGINEERING.

Sense 2. One who manages an engine; an engine-driver.

Sense 3. One who carries through an enterprise by skillful or artful contrivance; an efficient promoter; a manager.

☞ The use of the word in this sense is not authorized by its derivation.

Ĕn'gi-neer', v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. ENGINEERED; p. pr. & vb. n. ENGINEERING.]

  1. To perform the work of an engineer; as, to engineer a road. Hamilton.
  2. To use contrivance and effort for; to guide, or carry through, a measure or enterprise; as, to engineer a bill through Congress. [Colloq.]