external-combustion engine

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Word: External-combustion engine

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: An external-combustion engine is a type of engine where fuel is burned outside of the engine's main working parts. The heat produced from this burning is then used to create mechanical energy, which can power something, like a vehicle or a machine.

Breakdown of the Definition:

• External: This means "outside." In this context, it refers to the combustion (burning) happening outside the main parts of the engine.
• Combustion: This is the process of burning something to produce heat.
• Engine: A machine that converts fuel into mechanical energy to do work.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "external-combustion engine" when talking about engines that operate by burning fuel outside their main working parts.
• You might encounter this term in discussions about older types of engines or in specific industries, like steam engines.

Example Sentence:

"The steam locomotive uses an external-combustion engine, where coal is burned in a boiler to produce steam that powers the train."

Advanced Usage:

In technical discussions, you might compare "external-combustion engines" with "internal-combustion engines," where the fuel is burned inside the engine itself, such as in most cars today.

Word Variants:

• External combustion: Refers to the process of combustion occurring outside the engine.
• Engine: A general term that can refer to many types of engines, including both internal and external combustion types.

Different Meanings:

While "external-combustion engine" specifically refers to a type of engine, the components of the term can have broader meanings: - Combustion: Can refer to any burning process, not just in engines. - Engine: Can refer to any machine that converts energy from fuel, not limited to combustion types.

Synonyms:

• Steam engine (often a type of external-combustion engine)
• Heat engine (a general term that can include both internal and external types)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "external-combustion engine," you might hear phrases like: - "Burn the midnight oil" - This means to stay up late working (not directly related to engines but uses the word "burn").

Conclusion:

An external-combustion engine is a specific type of engine that burns fuel outside its main parts to create energy. It is important in discussions about older technologies and various types of machinery.

Academic

Noun

1. a heat engine in which ignition occurs outside the chamber (cylinder or turbine) in which heat is converted to mechanical energy