| 释义 |
en·gine
I. \ˈenjə̇n\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English engin, from Old French, skill, trick mechanical contrivance, from Latin ingenium natural capacity, natural disposition, from in + -genium (akin to Latin gignere to beget) — more at kin
1. obsolete
a. : natural capacity : ability, skill
b. : ingenuity or an instance or product of it; often : cunning or evil contrivance : artifice, wile
< all the engines of her wit — Edmund Spenser >
2. archaic : something that is used to effect a purpose : agent, means, method
< all these engines of lust — Shakespeare >
3.
a. : a mechanical contrivance or tool: as
(1) : an instrument or machine of war
(2) obsolete : a torture implement; especially : rack
(3) obsolete : a net, trap, or similar device
(4) obsolete : machine 1e
b. : machinery, apparatus
c. : any of various mechanical appliances — often used in combination; see fire engine, rose engine, ruling engine
4. : a machine for converting energy (in such forms as heat, chemical energy, nuclear energy, radiation energy, and the potential energy of elevated water) into mechanical force and motion
5. : a railroad locomotive
6. : engine company
Synonyms: see machine
II. transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English enginen to contrive, deceive, from Old French engignier. from engin
1. obsolete : contrive, plan
2. [engine (I) ] : to equip with an engine
< such planes were not engined for high-altitude combat >
< a 4-engined bomber >
III. noun
1. : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source
< the best candidate for the central engine of quasars is a black hole — M.J.Rees >
2. : computer software that performs one or more fundamental functions especially of a larger program
< a database engine > |