Reciprocating engine

Reciprocating engine
Reciprocate Re*cip"ro*cate (r[-e]*s[i^]p"r[-o]*k[=a]t), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Reciprocated} (r[-e]*s[i^]p"r[-o]*k[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Reciprocating}.] [L. reciprocatus, p. p. of reciprocare. See {Reciprocal}.] To move forward and backward alternately; to recur in vicissitude; to act interchangeably; to alternate. [1913 Webster]

One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies, And draws and blows reciprocating air. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

{Reciprocating engine}, a steam, air, or gas engine, etc., in which the piston moves back and forth; -- in distinction from a rotary engine, in which the piston travels continuously in one direction in a circular path.

{Reciprocating motion} (Mech.), motion alternately backward and forward, or up and down, as of a piston rod. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • reciprocating engine — n. any engine in which the movement of the pistons back and forth causes the rotary motion of the crankshaft …   English World dictionary

  • Reciprocating engine — internal combustion piston engine. E Exhaust camshaft I Intake camshaft S Spark plug V Valves P Piston R Connecting rod C Crankshaft W Water jacket for coolant flow.] A reciprocating engine, also often known as a piston engine, is a heat engine… …   Wikipedia

  • reciprocating engine — An engine that converts the chemical energy in the fuel plus air into mechanical energy by providing reciprocating movement to the pistons. This movement is further converted into rotary motion by the connecting rods and crankshaft. A… …   Aviation dictionary

  • reciprocating engine — any engine employing the rectilinear motion of one or more pistons in cylinders. Also called displacement engine, piston engine. [1815 25] * * * …   Universalium

  • reciprocating engine — noun any engine, especially an internal combustion engine, in which a crankshaft is turned by pistons moving up and down within cylinders Syn: piston engine …   Wiktionary

  • reciprocating engine — noun an internal combustion engine in which the crankshaft is turned by pistons moving up and down in cylinders • Hypernyms: ↑internal combustion engine, ↑ICE • Part Meronyms: ↑crankcase, ↑crankshaft, ↑engine block, ↑cylinder block, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • reciprocating engine — noun Date: 1822 an engine in which the to and fro motion of one or more pistons is transformed into the rotary motion of a crankshaft …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • reciprocating engine — noun a piston engine …   English new terms dictionary

  • reciprocating engine — recip′rocating en gine n. mac any engine employing the rectilinear motion of one or more pistons in cylinders • Etymology: 1815–25 …   From formal English to slang

  • reciprocating engine — /rəˌsɪprəkeɪtɪŋ ˈɛndʒən/ (say ruh.sipruhkayting enjuhn) noun an engine characterised by the movement of the pistons in the cylinders back and forth in a straight line …  

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