engineering

engineering

en·gin·eer·ing [engineering]   [ˌendʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ]    [ˌendʒɪˈnɪrɪŋ]  noun uncountable

1. the activity of applying scientific knowledge to the design, building and control of machines, roads, bridges, electrical equipment, etc

• The bridge is a triumph of modern engineering.

compare  reverse engineering

2. (also ˌengineering ˈscience) the study of engineering as a subject

• a degree in engineering

see also  chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, genetic engineering, mechanical engineering, social engineering 

 

Example Bank:

• The bridge is a fine piece of engineering.

• The building is a remarkable feat of engineering.

• Train services on Sunday will be restricted because of engineering works.

 

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engineer

en·gin·eer [engineer engineers engineered engineering] noun, verb   [ˌendʒɪˈnɪə(r)]    [ˌendʒɪˈnɪr]

noun

 

1. a person whose job involves designing and building engines, machines, roads, bridges, etc.

see also  chemical engineer, civil engineer, electrical engineer, lighting engineer, mechanical engineer, software engineer, sound engineer

2. a person who is trained to repair machines and electrical equipment

• They're sending an engineer to fix the phone.

3. a person whose job is to control and repair engines, especially on a ship or an aircraft

• a flight engineer

• the chief engineer on a cruise liner

4. (NAmE) (BrE ˈengine driver) a person whose job is driving a railway/railroad engine

5. a soldier trained to design and build military structures

 

Word Origin:

Middle English (denoting a designer and constructor of fortifications and weapons; formerly also as ingineer): in early use from Old French engigneor, from medieval Latin ingeniator, from ingeniare ‘contrive, devise’, from Latin ingenium ‘talent, device’, from in- ‘in’ + gignere ‘beget’; in later use from French ingénieur or Italian ingegnere, also based on Latin ingenium, with the ending influenced by -eer.

 

Example Bank:

• We were on the phone with a technical support engineer.

• You need the advice of a qualified engineer.

• engineers who designed and built advanced military aircraft

• a chemical/civil/electrical/mechanical engineer

verb

1. ~ sth (often disapproving) to arrange for sth to happen or take place, especially when this is done secretly in order to give yourself an advantage

Syn:  contrive

• She engineered a further meeting with him.

2. usually passive ~ sth to design and build sth

• The car is beautifully engineered and a pleasure to drive.

3. ~ sth to change the genetic structure of sth

Syn: genetically modify

• genetically engineered crops

Word Origin:

Middle English (denoting a designer and constructor of fortifications and weapons; formerly also as ingineer): in early use from Old French engigneor, from medieval Latin ingeniator, from ingeniare ‘contrive, devise’, from Latin ingenium ‘talent, device’, from in- ‘in’ + gignere ‘beget’; in later use from French ingénieur or Italian ingegnere, also based on Latin ingenium, with the ending influenced by -eer.

Example Bank:

• She carefully engineered a meeting with the chairman.

• The car is superbly engineered and a pleasure to drive.

• This heavier-weight paper is specifically engineered for inkjet printing.

• genetically engineered organisms

• genetically engineered plants

• He had no idea that his downfall had been engineered by his deputy.

• The firm effectively engineered its own takeover.

• They've designed/engineered a new car.

• the men who engineered the tunnel

See also: engine driver