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Glite Dictionary
auxiliary engine

auxiliary engine

1 6.1
A small motor on a ship that gives extra power or runs equipment like an anchor winch
  • noun
  • /ɔˈɡzɪljəri ˈɛnʤɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : motor auxiliar

Examples

  • Fran: it's an auxiliary engine, some rich guy's toy.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The ship's auxiliary engine powers the winch used for raising the anchor.

  • Before setting off, ensure that the auxiliary engine is functioning properly to provide extra power if needed.

  • The crew relied on the auxiliary engine to operate the essential equipment during the storm.

Synonyms

donkey engine
vsauxiliary engine
  • Archaic
8.6

A small machine on a ship that helps lift the anchor or heavy cargo

is used more broadly to supply extra power on ships

How Powerful

auxiliary engine
  • Specialized
1 6.1
starter motor
  • Specialized
1 4.0

Surface Forms

auxiliary engine singular
auxiliary engines plural

Morphology

auxiliary + engine

The meaning is directly compositional: 'auxiliary' (extra/backup) modifies 'engine' (machine), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a secondary or backup engine used to operate equipment or provide additional power. This follows a common adjective+noun pattern cross-linguistically, making the phrase immediately understandable from its constituents.

Etymology

Auxiliary engine puts together auxiliary (meaning 'extra' or 'helping') and engine (a 'motor'). Imagine a small motor on a ship that stays ready to help the main engines or run equipment when needed, so it means 'a small extra engine that provides power or backup'.