engine

Everyday

1. An engine is a machine that burns fuel or uses power to make something move, like a car, train or plane. tree →
2. The engine of a train is the front part that pulls the cars. tree →
3. A fire engine is a fire truck. tree →
4. A search engine is a website that finds things on the internet. tree →

In the lessons

maths: a story word or a part counted, as in a plane with 2 engines (total = planes × engines each), or a fire engine; science: engines turn fuel into movement, electric motors; history: steam engines; everyday life: start the engine, the fire engine's siren; safety: move aside for fire engines

Examples

• A plane has 4 engines. tree →
• The train engine pulls 12 cars. tree →
• Two fire engines came. tree →
• How many engines do 3 planes have? tree →
• The car engine would not start. tree →
• Steam engines burn coal. tree →
• Use a search engine to find facts. tree →
• Pull over when you hear a fire engine. tree →
• He had been running a long time before the engine; he had no idea that I was travelling there. tree →

Note

Thing counted, sometimes a per-item number. Trap: none special. An engine burns fuel; a motor can run on electricity.

In Jewish tradition

It means a war machine used to attack or defend a city, such as one that throws stones or shoots arrows. It has nothing to do with a motor.

Interpretation. Ezekiel's battering engines show the coming siege of Tyre. King Uzziah's engines show his cleverness and strength, which the tradition says later led him to pride.

Examples

• And he shall set his battering engines against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers. (Prophets EZK.26.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and upon the corners, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. (Writings 2CH.26.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Thing counted, sometimes a per-item number. Trap: none special. An engine burns fuel; a motor can run on electricity.