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   En·gine

   /ˈenjən/

   

   noun

   • 1. a machine with moving parts that converts power into motion: "the roar of a car engine" Similar motormechanismmachinepower sourcedrive
   • ▪ a thing that is the agent or instrument of a particular process: "exports used to be the engine of growth" Similar causeagentinstrumentdriveroriginatorinitiatorgenerator
   • 2. a railroad locomotive.
   • ▪ short for fire engine
   • ▪ a mechanical device or instrument, especially one used in warfare: historical "a siege engine" Similar devicecontraptiongadgetapparatusmachineappliancemechanismimplementinstrumenttoolutensilaidinventioncontrivancemachinerymeans

   Word Origin Middle English (formerly also as ingine): from Old French engin, from Latin ingenium ‘talent, device’, from in- ‘in’ + gignere ‘beget’; compare with ingenious. The original sense was ‘ingenuity, cunning’ (surviving in Scots as ingine), hence ‘the product of ingenuity, a plot or snare’, also ‘tool, weapon’, later specifically denoting a large mechanical weapon; whence a machine (mid 17th century), used commonly later in combinations such as steam engine, internal combustion engine.

   Derivatives

   • 1. engined adjective
   • 2. engineless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • G

     2

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   • E

     1

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