En`gi*neer" (?), n. [OE.
enginer: cf. OF. engignier, F. ingénieur.
See Engine, n.] 1. A
person skilled in the principles and practice of any branch of
engineering. See under Engineering,
n.
2. One who manages as engine, particularly a
steam engine; an engine driver.
3. One who carries through an enterprise by
skillful or artful contrivance; an efficient manager.
[Colloq.]
Civil engineer, a person skilled in the
science of civil engineering. -- Military
engineer, one who executes engineering works of a
military nature. See under Engineering.
En`gi*neer" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Engineered (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Engineering.] 1. To lay out
or construct, as an engineer; to perform the work of an engineer on;
as, to engineer a road. J. Hamilton.
2. To use contrivance and effort for; to
guide the course of; to manage; as, to engineer a bill through
Congress. [Colloq.]