words

engine (n.)
ety. - < Anglo-Norman engine , enginne , engynne , ingein , Anglo-Norman and Old French engign , enging , Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French engin , engien (French engin) inborn talent, intelligence, or wit (12th cent. in Old French), tool, implement (12th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), ruse, deceit, expedient (1119), large machine or instrument used in warfare (1165), ingenuity, skill (late 12th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), magic power (late 12th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), instrument of torture (early 13th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), tackle (early 13th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), trap, snare used in hunting (13th cent.), (of a person) natural disposition (1496), piece of machinery by which a character (especially a god) could appear suspended above the stage (1565 in the passage translated in quot. 1579 at sense 7), penis (a1600) < classical Latin ingenium natural disposition, temperament, inherent quality or character, natural inclination or desire, mental powers, natural abilities, talent, intellect, mind, cleverness, skill, ingenuity, clever device, contrivance, in post-classical Latin also trick, craft, malice (late 2nd cent. in Tertullian), means (6th cent.), trap (6th cent.), instrument (11th cent.), siege-machine (frequently from 12th cent. in British and continental sources): see ingenium n. Compare Old Occitan engenh (also engen , ingein , engien), Spanish ingenio (1251 as engeño), Portuguese engenho (13th cent.), Italian ingegno (a1292). Compare gin n.1