2 → see also chemical engineering , civil engineering , electrical engineering , genetic engineering
e n|gine room (engine rooms )
1 N‑COUNT On a boat or a ship, the engine room is the place where the engines are.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to something as the engine room of an organization or institution, you mean it is the most important or influential part of that organization or institution. □ [+ of ] These firms are regarded as the engine room of the British economy.
Eng|lish / I ŋgl I ʃ/
1 ADJ English means belonging or relating to England, or to its people, language, or culture. It is also often used to mean belonging or relating to Great Britain, although many people object to this.
2 N‑PLURAL The English are the people of England.
3 N‑UNCOUNT English is the language spoken in Great Britain and Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries.
E ng|lish brea k|fast (English breakfasts ) N‑COUNT An English breakfast is a breakfast consisting of cooked food such as bacon, eggs, sausages, and tomatoes. It also includes toast and tea or coffee. [BRIT ]
English|man / I ŋgl I ʃmən/ (Englishmen ) N‑COUNT An Englishman is a man who comes from England.
English|woman / I ŋgl I ʃwʊmən/ (Englishwomen ) N‑COUNT An Englishwoman is a woman who comes from England.
en|gorged / I ngɔː r dʒd/ ADJ Something that is engorged is swollen, usually because it has been filled with a particular fluid. □ [+ with ] …the tissues become engorged with blood.
en|grave / I ngre I v/ (engraves , engraving , engraved ) VERB If you engrave something with a design or words, or if you engrave a design or words on it, you cut the design or words into its surface. □ [be V -ed + with ] Your wedding ring can be engraved with a personal inscription at no extra cost. □ [V n + on/in ] Harrods will also engrave your child's name on the side. □ [have n V -ed + with ] I'm having 'John Law' engraved on the cap. □ [V -ed] …a bottle engraved with her name. [Also V n, V n with quote]
en|graved / I ngre I vd/ ADJ If you say that something is engraved on your mind or memory or on your heart, you are emphasizing that you will never forget it, because it has made a very strong impression on you. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ in/on/upon ] Her image is engraved upon my heart.
en|grav|er / I ngre I və r / (engravers ) N‑COUNT An engraver is someone who cuts designs or words on metal, glass, or wood.
en|grav|ing / I ngre I v I ŋ/ (engravings )
1 N‑COUNT An engraving is a picture or design that has been cut into a surface.
2 N‑COUNT An engraving is a picture that has been printed from a plate on which designs have been cut. □ …a color engraving of oranges and lemons.
en|grossed / I ngroʊ st/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are engrossed in something, it holds your attention completely. □ [+ in ] Tony didn't notice because he was too engrossed in his work.
en|gross|ing / I ngroʊ s I ŋ/ ADJ Something that is engrossing is very interesting and holds your attention completely. [APPROVAL ] □ He is an engrossing subject for a book.
en|gulf / I ngʌ lf/ (engulfs , engulfing , engulfed )
1 VERB If one thing engulfs another, it completely covers or hides it, often in a sudden and unexpected way. □ [V n] A seven-year-old boy was found dead after a landslide engulfed a block of flats. □ [be V -ed] The flat is engulfed in flames.
2 VERB If a feeling or emotion engulfs you, you are strongly affected by it. □ [V n] …the pain that engulfed him.
en|hance ◆◇◇ / I nhɑː ns, -hæ ns/ (enhances , enhancing , enhanced ) VERB To enhance something means to improve its value, quality, or attractiveness. □ [V n] They'll be keen to enhance their reputation abroad. SYNONYMS enhance VERB
improve: He said he was going to improve his football.
strengthen: The dollar strengthened against most other currencies.
embellish: Ivy leaves embellish the front of the dresser.
perfect: …girls who needed to perfect their English.
polish: They just need to polish their technique.
en|hance|ment / I nhɑː nsmənt, -hæ ns-/ (enhancements ) N‑VAR The enhancement of something is the improvement of it in relation to its value, quality, or attractiveness. [FORMAL ] □ He was concerned with the enhancement of the human condition.
en|hanc|er / I nhɑː nsə r , -hæ ns-/ (enhancers ) N‑COUNT [usu n N ] An enhancer is a substance or a device which makes a particular thing look, taste, or feel better. □ Cinnamon is an excellent flavour enhancer.
enig|ma / I n I gmə/ (enigmas ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe something or someone as an enigma , you mean they are mysterious or difficult to understand. □ Iran remains an enigma for the outside world.
en|ig|mat|ic /e n I gmæ t I k/ ADJ Someone or something that is enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand. □ Haley studied her, an enigmatic smile on his face. □ She starred in one of Welles's most enigmatic films. ● en|ig|mati|cal|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj] □ 'Corbiere didn't deserve this,' she said enigmatically.
en|join / I ndʒɔ I n/ (enjoins , enjoining , enjoined )