Wankel rotary engine
- noun
- /ˈwæŋkəl ˈroʊtəri ˈɛnʤɪn/
- Specialized
:
motor rotativo Wankel
- Mazda popularized the Wankel rotary engine in many of its sports cars during the late twentieth century.
Examples
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The Wankel rotary engine is known for its compact design.
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Some engineers admire the compact design of the Wankel rotary engine for specialized applications.
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The Wankel rotary engine offers a smoother ride due to its lack of reciprocating parts.
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Have you ever seen a Wankel rotary engine in action?
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The Mazda RX-7 is famous for its lightweight design and efficient performance thanks to its Wankel rotary engine.
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Many automotive enthusiasts appreciate the unique sound of a Wankel rotary engine compared to traditional piston engines.
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The Wankel rotary engine uses a triangular rotor that moves in an eccentric motion to produce power.
Synonyms
1
6.9
A machine that makes power by turning parts around a central point, used in cars or planes
1
4.4
A machine that makes power using four piston movements in one cycle
A motor that makes power by a three-sided rotor turning inside an oval chamber
An engine with a three-sided part that turns in a curved path instead of pistons
A machine that burns fuel inside and makes power in four piston strokes
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: 'rotary' (rotating) + 'engine' (machine that converts fuel into motion) yields the meaning of an engine that uses rotation rather than reciprocating parts. 'Wankel' is a proper name identifying the inventor or specific model, so it simply specifies the type rather than creating an idiomatic meaning; a B1 learner who knows the constituents would therefore infer it denotes a particular kind of rotary engine.
Etymology
Wankel rotary engine is named after its inventor, Felix Wankel, and makes power by turning instead of by pistons that move 'up and down'. Imagine a triangle-shaped part spinning inside a round ring, and that's why the engine is small and gives a smoother run than regular piston engines.