ENGINE, in Mechanics, is a compound machine, made of one or more mechanical powers, as levers, pulleys, screws, &c. in order to raise, cast, or sustain any weight, or produce any effect which could not be easily effected otherwise. The word is formed of the French engin, from the Latin ingenium, "wit;" by reason of the ingenuity required in the contrivance of engines to augment the effect of moving powers.
ENGINE for Extinguishing Fires. See HYDRODYNAMICS Index.