An engine in which the mechanical force of steam is made available as a motive power for driving machinery, etc.
Earlier names were fire-engine (see FIRE-ENGINE 2) and atmospheric engine (Newcomen). The ordinary (stationary) engine is due to James Watt (patented 1769).
1751. F. Blake, in Phil. Trans., XLVII. 197. The fire-engine, or (to term it more properly) the steam-engine, for draining of mines, is a master-piece of machinery.
1757. K. Fitzgerald, Ibid., L. 54. A small boiler,… made in the shape of those commonly used in steam-engines.
1766. Watt, in Muirhead, Invent. Watt (1854), I. 14. I have thought on a simpler circular steam-engine than what I mentioned to you.
1821. Scott, Pirate, xvii. The monster … blew, with a noise resembling the explosion of a steam-engine, a huge shower of water into the air.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, v. The rapid doubling of the population dates from Watt’s steam-engine.
b. A locomotive engine.
1815. [see LOCOMOTIVE A, 2 d].
1821. T. Gray, Observ. Iron Railway, i. 12. The canal boats might be towed by steam-engines running on a rail-way along the canal.
1823. Byron, Juan, X. ii. Full soon Steam-engines will conduct him to the moon.
c. Often in hyperbolic or jocular comparisons.
1833. Nyren, Yng. Cricketer’s Tutor (1902), 101. Neither he nor Quiddington ever had to stand against such steam-engine bowling as Brett’s.
c. 1840. Syd. Smith, in Lady Holland, Mem. (1855), I. 267. Daniel Webster struck me much like a steam-engine in trousers.
1865. M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., i. 15. When your party talks this language like a steam engine.
Hence Steamengineing vbl. sb. (nonce-wd.).
1839. Carlyle, Chartism, viii. (1840), 87. The Saxon kindred burst forth into … steamengining, railwaying, commercing.
