irwin@m.cs.uiuc.edu (10/04/88)
/* Written 3:42 pm Oct 2, 1988 by wooding@daisy.UUCP in m.cs.uiuc.edu:sci.space.shuttle */ /* ---------- "Re: 100% plus? was Re: Shuttle Roll" ---------- */ >Originally the shuttle engines were designed to be able to run up to > What is the difference between a motor and an engine? Seems > like the terms are used interchangeably. Are they? > m wooding /* End of text from m.cs.uiuc.edu:sci.space.shuttle */ Eons of time ago, a motor was considered something that ran with electrical power, using the magnetic field as a source of motion. An engine was something that ran on some sort of combustion with ignition and fuel. Anymore, I think the terms are somewhat blurred. Note, our laser printer is called a "print engine". I think the English language is going to the dogs!
sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) (10/06/88)
In article <22000003@m.cs.uiuc.edu> irwin@m.cs.uiuc.edu writes: >> What is the difference between a motor and an engine? Seems >> like the terms are used interchangeably. Are they? >Eons of time ago, a motor was considered something that ran with >electrical power, using the magnetic field as a source of motion. >An engine was something that ran on some sort of combustion with >ignition and fuel. >Anymore, I think the terms are somewhat blurred. Note, our laser >printer is called a "print engine". I think the English language >is going to the dogs! Well my Concise Oxford (1982 ed) says in part: engine: 1. n. mechanical contrivance ... especial as a source of power.... 2. (arch) machine or instrument used in war; instrument, means motor: 1. n. what imparts motion, machine supplying motive power for carriage or vessel, esp internal combustion engine .... It would seem that a motor is an engine that is used to move something. The "print engine" would seem to be based on the archaic definition. This is a common marketing ploy designed to attract people's attention by being a bit different. -- Stuart.Lynne@wimsey.bc.ca {ubc-cs,uunet}!van-bc!sl Vancouver,BC,604-937-7532