エンジン
解説 Definition
「engine」は、燃料や電気などのエネルギーを動力に変換する機械装置を指す名詞です。自動車や飛行機などの乗り物を動かすための装置として広く知られています。また、比喩的に何かを推進させる原動力や中心的な力を指すこともあります。
An engine is a machine that converts energy, such as energy from fuel or electricity, into mechanical power or motion. Figuratively, it can be the central force, system, or activity that drives growth, change, or another continuing process.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
日本語の「エンジン」より範囲が広く、燃料や電気を動力へ変える装置を指す。car engine、airplane engine、start the engine を場面ごと覚え、innovation is the engine of growth のような比喩では「物事を前へ進める原動力」と理解する。motor は特に電気で動く装置を指すことが多い。
Think of an engine as something that turns stored or supplied energy into movement. A car engine burns fuel, while other engines may use electricity or different energy sources. Learn common combinations such as start the engine, car engine, and airplane engine. Then extend the same image to figurative uses: if innovation is the engine of economic growth, it is the force that keeps growth moving forward. Engine is broader than the Japanese loanword may initially suggest. Also distinguish it from motor: everyday usage overlaps, but motor often refers specifically to a device producing motion, especially one powered by electricity.
例文
The car's engine made a strange noise this morning.
今朝、車のエンジンが奇妙な音を立てた。
The engineer inspected the airplane engine before the flight.
エンジニアはフライト前に飛行機のエンジンを点検した。
Innovation is the engine of economic growth.
イノベーションは経済成長の原動力だ。
engine の類義語・関連語
engine の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 ingenium（生まれつきの才能、巧みな仕掛け）に由来。in-（中に）+ gen-（生む）から成り、「内に生み出す力」が原義。関連語に genius（天才）、ingenious（巧妙な）がある。才能が機械装置の意味へ転じた。
Engine comes through Old French engin from Latin ingenium, which referred to natural ability, cleverness, character, or an ingenious device. Ingenium is connected with in-, “in,” and the root gen-, “produce or beget.” The sense moved from clever capacity to a product of skill, then to a mechanical device. Genius and ingenious are historical relatives. The modern meaning focuses on a machine that produces power, while figurative uses preserve the idea of an effective driving force.
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