engineer
UK: ˌen.dʒɪˈnɪər | US: ˌen.dʒɪˈnɪr
n. a person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or structures
vt. to design or build (a machine, system, etc.) using scientific principles
vi. (archaic) to contrive or plan skillfully
engineer = engine<mechanical device> + eer<person who does>
- engine: From Latin ingenium (innate quality, cleverness), later narrowing to "mechanical device" in Middle English.
- eer: A suffix of French origin (-ier), denoting a person associated with an action or object (e.g., pioneer, auctioneer).
Etymology Origin:
The word evolved from Latin ingenium (talent, invention) to Old French engigneor (one who operates war machines). By the 14th century, "engine" referred to mechanical contraptions, and "-eer" solidified the role of a practitioner. The term reflects the shift from general ingenuity to specialized technical expertise.
The engineer designed a bridge to withstand earthquakes.
She engineered a solution to reduce energy waste.
Early engineers built catapults for medieval warfare.
He works as a software engineer at a tech startup.
They engineered the merger to benefit both companies.