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engenho

[ẽˈʒẽɲu]
nounmasculinepl: engenhos
ingenuity; mill; sugar mill; device; contraption
1. cleverness, wit, or mental ability; ingenuity
He solved the problem with great ingenuity.
Ele resolveu o problema com grande engenho.
2. a machine or mechanical device
The engineer designed a new engine for the factory.
O engenheiro desenhou um novo engenho para a fábrica.
3. a sugar mill or sugar plantation (historical, especially in Brazil)
The colonial sugar mill produced thousands of tons annually.
O engenho de açúcar colonial produzia milhares de toneladas anualmente.
4. a contraption or gadget
He built a curious contraption in his garage.
Ele construiu um engenho curioso em sua garagem.
Synonyms
criatividadeastúciahabilidadedispositivomáquinamaquinaria
Antonyms
burriceignorânciaestupidez

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
engenho
Common usage for ingenuity, device, or sugar mill
Northeastern Brazil
engenho
Particularly associated with historical sugar mills and colonial agriculture
Portugal
engenho
Less commonly used; preference for 'máquina' or 'dispositivo'

Related Idioms & Phrases

engenho e arte - ingenuity and cunning
de engenho próprio - through one's own ingenuity
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