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Webster 1913 Edition


Engineer

Enˊgi-neer′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Engineered
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Engineering
.]
1.
To lay out or construct, as an engineer; to perform the work of an engineer on;
as, to
engineer
a road
.
J. Hamilton.
2.
To use contrivance and effort for; to guide the course of; to manage;
as, to
engineer
a bill through Congress
.
[Colloq.]
☞ In a comprehensive sense, engineering includes architecture as a mechanical art, in distinction from architecture as a fine art. It was formerly divided into military engineering, which is the art of designing and constructing offensive and defensive works, and civil engineering, in a broad sense, as relating to other kinds of public works, machinery, etc. –
Civil engineering
, in modern usage, is strictly the art of planning, laying out, and constructing fixed public works, such as railroads, highways, canals, aqueducts, water works, bridges, lighthouses, docks, embankments, breakwaters, dams, tunnels, etc. –
Mechanical engineering
relates to machinery, such as steam engines, machine tools, mill work, etc. –
Mining engineering
deals with the excavation and working of mines, and the extraction of metals from their ores, etc. Engineering is further divided into steam engineering, gas engineering, agricultural engineering, topographical engineering, electrical engineering, etc.

Webster 1828 Edition


Engineer

ENGINEE'R

,
Noun.
In the military art, a person skilled in mathematics and mechanics, who forms plans of works for offense or defense, and marks out the ground for fortifications. Engineers are also employed in delineating plans and superintending the construction of other public works, as aqueducts and canals. The latter are called civil engineers.
1.
One who manages engines or artillery.

Definition 2024


engineer

engineer

English

Noun

engineer (plural engineers)

  1. A person who is qualified or professionally engaged in any branch of engineering.
  2. (Philippines) A title given to an engineer.
  3. (chiefly US) A person who operates an engine (such as a locomotive).

Usage notes

  • Adjectives often applied to "engineer": mechanical, electrical, civil, architectural, environmental, mechatronics, industrial, optical, nuclear, structural, chemical, military, electronic, professional, chartered, licensed, certified, qualified.

Related terms

Translations

Verb

engineer (third-person singular simple present engineers, present participle engineering, simple past and past participle engineered)

  1. (transitive) To design, construct or manage something as an engineer.
  2. (transitive) To alter or construct something by means of genetic engineering.
  3. (transitive) To plan or achieve some goal by contrivance or guile; to wangle or finagle.

Translations