engine

The story

1. Latin · derived fromingenium“innate or natural quality, nature, genius, a genius, an invention, (in Late Latin) a war-engine, battering-ram”
2. Old French · derived fromengin“skill, cleverness, war machine”
3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromengine
4. Middle English · inherited fromengyn
5. English todayengine

From Middle English engyn, from Anglo-Norman engine, Old French engin (“skill, cleverness, war machine”), from Latin ingenium (“innate or natural quality, nature, genius, a genius, an invention, (in Late Latin) a war-engine, battering-ram”), related to ingignō (“to instil by birth, implant, produce in”). Compare gin, ingenious, engineer.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. A large construction used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult etc.
• from 14th c. A tool; a utensil or implement.
• from 16th c. A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects.
• from 16th c. A person or group of people which influence a larger group; a driving force.
• from 19th c. The part of a car or other vehicle which provides the force for motion, now especially one powered by internal combustion.
• from 19th c. A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track.
• from 19th c. A locomotive.
• from 20th c. A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).