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Glite Dictionary
reaction-propulsion engine

reaction-propulsion engine

7.1
A machine that pushes a rocket or other spacecraft forward by shooting out fast gases
  • noun
  • /riˈækʃən prəˈpʌlʃən ˈɛnʤɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : motor de propulsión por reacción
  • A reaction-propulsion engine works by ejecting mass at high speed to generate forward thrust.

Examples

  • The reaction-propulsion engine powered the spacecraft into orbit.

  • Engineers tested a new type of reaction-propulsion engine in their experimental rocket.

  • The development of the reaction-propulsion engine revolutionized modern aerospace technology.

  • NASA developed a new reaction-propulsion engine for their latest mission.

  • Engineers tested a new type of reaction-propulsion engine in their experimental rocket.

  • A reaction-propulsion engine works by ejecting mass at high speed to generate forward thrust.

  • NASA developed a new reaction-propulsion engine for their latest mission.

Synonyms

reaction engine
vsreaction-propulsion engine
  • Specialized
6.0

A machine like a jet or rocket that pushes a vehicle by throwing fast gas out the back

is limited to producing thrust using exhaust gases rather than any fluid

Surface Forms

reaction-propulsion engine singular
reaction-propulsion engines plural

Morphology

reaction-propulsion + engine

The phrase is directly compositional: 'reaction-propulsion' describes the type of propulsion and 'engine' names the device, so a learner who knows 'reaction' and 'propulsion' can infer an engine that produces thrust by reaction (jet/rocket-style exhaust). Although technical, the meaning follows standard English compound formation and is cross-linguistically transparent, so it is immediately derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Reaction-propulsion engine is named for how it works: the words reaction, propulsion, and engine show the idea, as the engine throws gas out one way and the 'reaction' makes it go the other way, so the propulsion is the forward 'push'. That's why it means a jet or rocket engine that makes a vehicle go forward by throwing out fast gas.