Word Meanings - ENGINE - Book Publishers vocabulary database

A compound machine by which any physical power is applied to produce a given physical effect. Engine driver, one who manages an engine; specifically, the engineer of a locomotive. -- Engine lathe. See under Lathe. -- Engine tool, a machine tool.

Additional info about word: ENGINE

A compound machine by which any physical power is applied to produce a given physical effect. Engine driver, one who manages an engine; specifically, the engineer of a locomotive. -- Engine lathe. See under Lathe. -- Engine tool, a machine tool. J. Whitworth. -- Engine turning , a method of ornamentation by means of a rose engine. Note: The term engine is more commonly applied to massive machines, or to those giving power, or which produce some difficult result. Engines, as motors, are distinguished according to the source of power, as steam engine, air engine, electro-magnetic engine; or the purpose on account of which the power is applied, as fire engine, pumping engine, locomotive engine; or some peculiarity of construction or operation, as single-acting or double-acting engine, high-pressure or low-pressure engine, condensing engine, etc. (more info) natural capacity, invention; in in + the root of gignere to produce. 1. (Pronounced, in this sense, A man hath sapiences three, Memory, engine, and intellect also. Chaucer. 2. Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent. Shak. You see the ways the fisherman doth take To catch the fish; what engines doth he make Bunyan. Their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust. Shak. 3. Any instrument by which any effect is produced; especially, an instrument or machine of war or torture. "Terrible engines of death." Sir W. Raleigh.

Related words: (words related to ENGINE)

• UNDERDOER
  One who underdoes; a shirk.
• UNDERBRED
  Not thoroughly bred; ill-bred; as, an underbred fellow. Goldsmith.
• UNDERSECRETARY
  A secretary who is subordinate to the chief secretary; an assistant secretary; as, an undersecretary of the Treasury.
• UNDERPLOT
  1. A series of events in a play, proceeding collaterally with the main story, and subservient to it. Dryden. 2. A clandestine scheme; a trick. Addison.
• APPLICABLE
  Capable of being applied; fit or suitable to be applied; having relevance; as, this observation is applicable to the case under consideration. -- Ap"pli*ca*ble*ness, n. -- Ap"pli*ca*bly, adv.
• UNDERNICENESS
  A want of niceness; indelicacy; impropriety.
• UNDERSOIL
  The soil beneath the surface; understratum; subsoil.
• UNDERDOLVEN
  p. p. of Underdelve.
• UNDERNIME
  1. To receive; to perceive. He the savor undernom Which that the roses and the lilies cast. Chaucer. 2. To reprove; to reprehend. Piers Plowman.
• UNDERPROP
  To prop from beneath; to put a prop under; to support; to uphold. Underprop the head that bears the crown. Fenton.
• UNDERCREST
  To support as a crest; to bear. Shak.
• LATHE
  A machine for turning, that is, for shaping articles of wood, metal, or other material, by causing them to revolve while acted upon by a cutting tool. 3. The movable swing frame of a loom, carrying the reed for separating the warp threads
• UNDERGROUND INSURANCE
  Wildcat insurance.
• UNDERSAY
  To say by way of derogation or contradiction. Spenser.
• UNDERTAPSTER
  Assistant to a tapster.
• ENGINER
  A contriver; an inventor; a contriver of engines. Shak.
• MACHINER
  One who or operates a machine; a machinist.
• UNDERDELVE
  To delve under.
• UNDERSTOOD
  imp. & p. p. of Understand.
• ENGINERY
  1. The act or art of managing engines, or artillery. Milton. 2. Engines, in general; instruments of war. Training his devilish enginery. Milton. 3. Any device or contrivance; machinery; structure or arrangement. Shenstone.
• GRAMME MACHINE
  A kind of dynamo-electric machine; -- so named from its French inventor, M. Gramme. Knight.
• AIR ENGINE
  An engine driven by heated or by compressed air. Knight.
• PLUNDERER
  One who plunders or pillages.
• BURRING MACHINE
  A machine for cleansing wool of burs, seeds, and other substances.
• TEN-POUNDER
  A large oceanic fish found in the tropical parts of all the oceans. It is used chiefly for bait.
• DUNDERHEAD
  A dunce; a numskull; a blockhead. Beau. & Fl.
• UNAPPLIABLE
  Inapplicable. Milton.