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Noun: engine  en-jun [N. Amer], en-jin [Brit]
  1. Motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
    "The car's engine sputtered and died"
     
  2. A wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
    "The steam engine pulled into the station";
    - locomotive, locomotive engine, railway locomotive [Brit, Cdn], railroad locomotive [N. Amer], loco [informal]
     
  3. An instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.
    "medieval engines of war"
     
  4. Something used to achieve a purpose
    "an engine of change"

Derived forms: engines

Type of: causal agency, causal agent, cause, instrument, motor, self-propelled vehicle

Part of: railroad train [N. Amer], railway train [Brit, Cdn], train

Encyclopedia: Engine