What’s the difference between an engine and a motor?
In: Engineering
Engine originally meant “mechanical device”. Later the most popular type of engine was the “steam engine”. The meaning of engine became more narrow to mean “device that converts energy to mechanical power”. But we still use it more like it’s original meaning “graphics engine” for example.
Motor comes from Latin and means “mover”. Meaning latter narrowed to “machine that supplies motive power”.
If it creates movement, it’s a motor: “Outboard motor, electric motor, etc.” And it’s usually assumed to be one contained unit. A “steam motor” is a small contained unit that burns coal and produces movement. A “steam engine” would be larger and integrated into whatever it is powering.
The words are almost interchangeable, where all motors are engines, but not all engines are motors.
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