engine

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”), from ingenitum, past participle of ingignō (“to instil by birth, implant, produce in”). Compare gin, ingenious, engineer.

noun

1. A large construction used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult etc.
2. (now archaic) A tool; a utensil or implement.
   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
3. A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects.
4. A person or group of people which influence a larger group; a driving force.
5. The part of a car or other vehicle which provides the force for motion, now especially one powered by internal combustion.
6. A self-powered vehicle, especially a locomotive, used for pulling cars along a track.
7. (computing) A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).
   a graphics engine
   a physics engine
8. (obsolete) Ingenuity; cunning, trickery, guile.
9. (obsolete) The result of cunning; something ingenious, a contrivance; (in negative senses) a plot, a scheme.
10. (obsolete) Natural talent; genius.
11. Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent.

verb

1. (transitive, dated) To equip with an engine; said especially of steam vessels.
   Vessels are often built by one firm and engined by another.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To assault with an engine.
   to engine and batter our walls 1629, Thomas Adams, Plain-Dealing
3. (transitive, obsolete) To contrive; to put into action.