engine

noun

1. 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.”

2. (archaic)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 [...].”

   “What if the Foot, ordain'd the duſt to tread, / Or Hand, to toil, aſpir'd to be the Head? / What if the Head, the Eye, or Ear repin'd / To ſerve mere Engines to the ruling Mind?”

3. A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects.
4. 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.”

5. The part of a car or other vehicle which provides the force for motion, now especially one powered by internal combustion.
6. A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track.
7. (usually)A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track.
8. A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).

   “a graphics engine”

   “a physics engine”

9. (obsolete)Ingenuity; cunning, trickery, guile.
10. (obsolete)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 [...].”

11. (obsolete)Natural talent; genius.
12. Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent.

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

    “You ſee the ways the Fiſher-man doth take / To catch the Fiſh; what Engins doth he make?”

verb

1. (dated, transitive)To equip with an engine; said especially of steam vessels.

   “Vessels are often built by one firm and engined by another.”

2. (obsolete, transitive)To assault with an engine.

   “to engine and batter our walls”

3. (obsolete, transitive)To contrive; to put into action.