water engine

plural water engines

1. archaicAn engine moved by water.

   Near-synonym: watermill

   1 more example

   In those days, grist mills were powered by water engines, wind engines, or horse engines.

   Synonyms: watermill

2. archaicAn engine to raise water, often for mine drainage.

   Near-synonym: water pump

   1 more example

   In the earliest years after James Watt developed his steam engine, most of the capital that bought his engines came from mine owners who used them to power water engines for mine drainage.

   Synonyms: water pump

3. archaicA machine for extinguishing fires with water.

   Near-synonym: fire engine (synonymous in the pre–motor-truck era)

   1 more example

   In 1887, several businesses in this town pooled the funds necessary to buy a state-of-the-art water engine and a large new set of leather buckets for the bucket brigade.

   Synonyms: fire engine