engranaje

gear, cog

noun en-grah-NAH-heh Rare

Also means

mechanism, machinery (figurative)

Usage Note

Engranaje literally refers to interlocking gears in a mechanical device. Figuratively, it is often used to describe a complex system or bureaucratic machinery: el engranaje del Estado ('the machinery of the state'). The plural engranajes is common in both literal and figurative uses.

Examples

"El engranaje de la máquina está dañado."

Natural Translation

The gear of the machine is damaged.

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