a. Obs. Also 4 engynous. [a. OF. engineus, engigneus, engignos, corresp. to Pr. enginhos, OSp. engeñoso, It. ingegnoso:—L. ingeniōsus, f. ingenium: see ENGINE sb.]
1. Clever, crafty, cunning; deceitful.
c. 1325. Coer de L., 3945. Thomas, a knyghte engynous, Wente with hys host to Orlyons.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 99. It [coler] maketh a man ben enginous.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., III. ii. For that’s the mark of all their enginous drifts, To wound my patience.
1615. Chapman, Odyss., I. 11/452. By open force, or proiects enginous.
2. Of or belonging to an engine; partaking of the nature of an engine. lit. and fig.
1606. Dekker, Sev. Sinnes, IV. (Arb.), 30. For all the Enginous Wheeles of the Soule are continually going.
1630. B. Jonson, New Inn, II. ii. Lady F. Sure, petards To blow us up. Lord L. Some enginous strong words.
