Engineer
/ˌɛn.dʒɪˈnɪər/noun
A person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, structures, or systems.
Did you know?The word entered English through Old French from Latin *ingeniator*, tied to *ingenium* meaning “natural talent” or “clever invention,” so an engineer was originally a master of cunning design, not just machinery.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gen-
“to beget, give birth; produce”
Latin
Latin
ingenium
“inborn nature, talent, cleverness; a natural capacity for invention”
Late Latin
Latin
ingeniator
“a contriver or designer, especially of military engines”
Old French
Old French
engigneor
“one who constructs engines; a military technician”
Middle English
English
engineer
“a builder or operator of military engines”
Modern English
English
engineer
“a designer or builder of engines, machines, or systems”