engine
UK: ˈen.dʒɪn | US: ˈen.dʒɪn
n. a machine that converts energy into mechanical force or motion.
n. a locomotive or part of a train that provides power.
n. a tool or system designed for a specific purpose (e.g., "search engine").
The word "engine" traces back to the Latin ingenium, meaning "innate talent" or "clever invention." Over time, it evolved through Old French (engin) to Middle English, narrowing in meaning to focus on mechanical devices. The morpheme en- (in) suggests something "within" or "innate," while -gin (from gen-, meaning "to produce") reflects the idea of a device that generates motion or function. The modern sense of "engine" as a power-generating machine solidified during the Industrial Revolution.
The car's engine roared to life.
Steam engines revolutionized transportation in the 19th century.
She works as a software engineer for a search engine company.
The firefighter used a hydraulic engine to rescue the trapped driver.
His creativity is the engine behind the team's success.