| diesel engine or diesel motor | |
| —n | |
| a type of internal-combustion engine in which atomized fuel oil is sprayed into the cylinder and ignited by compression alone | |
| diesel motor or diesel motor | |
| —n | |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
diesel engine (dē'zəl) Pronunciation Key
(click for larger image in new window) An internal-combustion engine in which the fuel oil is ignited by the heat of air that has been highly compressed in the cylinder, rather than by a spark. Due to the need for the engine to withstand very high pressures, diesel engines are relatively heavy; however, they are relatively fuel-efficient, especially when running at low power. |