engine

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.

   medieval engines of war

2. 2
   noun

   something used to achieve a purpose

   an engine of change

3. 3
   noun

   A large construction used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult etc.

   Their warlike Engins and munition Exceed the forces of their martial men.

4. 4
   noun

   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 [...].

5. 5
   noun

   A person or group of people which influence a larger group; a driving force.

   In France, the parliament soon became a mere engine in the hands of a few high-born and ambitious men, who had nothing in common with its interests, which were those of the people.

6. 6
   noun

   A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).

   a graphics engine

7. 7
   noun

   The result of cunning; something ingenious, a contrivance; (in negative senses) a plot, a scheme.

   Therefore this craftie engine he did frame, / Againſt his praiſe to ſtirre vp enmitye [...].

8. 8
   noun

   Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent.

   [...] their promiſes, entiſements, oathes, tokens, and all theſe engines of luſt [...].

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”), related to ingignō (“to instil by birth, implant, produce in”). Compare gin, ingenious, engineer.