Engineering

Engineering
Engineering En`gi*neer"ing, n. Originally, the art of managing engines; in its modern and extended sense, the art and science by which the properties of matter are made useful to man, whether in structures, machines, chemical substances, or living organisms; the occupation and work of an engineer. In the modern sense, the application of mathematics or systematic knowledge beyond the routine skills of practise, for the design of any complex system which performs useful functions, may be considered as engineering, including such abstract tasks as designing software ({software engineering}). [1913 Webster +PJC]

Note: 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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • engineering — en‧gi‧neer‧ing [ˌendʒˈnɪərɪŋ ǁ ˈnɪr ] noun [uncountable] MANUFACTURING the profession and activity of designing the way roads, bridges, machines, electrical equipment etc are built: • Most students specialize in one single branch of engineering …   Financial and business terms

  • engineering — [ ɛn(d)ʒiniriŋ; in ] n. m. • 1949; mot angl. « art de l ingénieur » → génie (III) ♦ Anglic. ⇒ ingénierie(recomm. offic.). ● engineering nom masculin (mot anglais) Synonyme de ingénierie. ● engineering (difficultés) nom masculin (mot anglais) …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • engineering — [pr.: enginíring] n. Studiere a unui proiect industrial sub toate aspectele sale. /cuv. engl. Trimis de siveco, 22.08.2004. Sursa: NODEX  ENGINEERING s.n. (Anglicism) Studiere a unui proiect industrial sub toate aspectele sale (tehnic, economic …   Dicționar Român

  • engineering — [en΄jə nir′iŋ] n. 1. a) the science concerned with putting scientific knowledge to practical uses, divided into different branches, as civil, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering b) the planning, designing, construction, or management …   English World dictionary

  • engineering — index building (business of assembling), contrivance, strategy Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • engineering — 1680s, from ENGINEER (Cf. engineer) (n.). Meaning work done by an engineer is from 1720. As a field of study, attested from 1792. An earlier word was engineership (1640s); engineery was attempted in 1793, but it did not stick …   Etymology dictionary

  • engineering — ► NOUN ▪ the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures …   English terms dictionary

  • Engineering — The Watt steam engine, a major driver in the Industrial Revolution, underscores the importance of engineering in modern history. This model is on display at the main building of the ETSIIM in Madrid, Spain. Engineering is the discipline, art,… …   Wikipedia

  • engineering — /en jeuh near ing/, n. 1. the art or science of making practical application of the knowledge of pure sciences, as physics or chemistry, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, ships, and chemical plants. 2. the action, work …   Universalium

  • engineering — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ heavy, light ▪ precision ▪ advanced ▪ aeronautical, aerospace ▪ civil …   Collocations dictionary

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