EN'GINE, n. L. ingenium.
1. In mechanics, a compound machine, or artificial instrument, composed of different parts, and intended to produce some effect by the help of the mechanical powers as a pump, a windlas, a capstan, a fire engine, a steam engine.
2. A military machine as a battering ram, &c.
3. Any instrument that by which any effect is produced. An arrow, a sword, a musket is an engine of death.
4. A machine for throwing water to extinguish fire.
5. Means any thing used to effect a purpose.
6. An agent for another usually in an sense.