an internal-combustion engine having a number of cylinders arranged about a central crankcase
radial engine in American English
an internal combustion engine with cylinders arranged radially like wheel spokes
radial engine in American English
noun
Aeronautics
an internal-combustion engine having the cylinders arranged in radial opposition, found mainly on older aircraft
Word origin
[1905–10]This word is first recorded in the period 1905–10. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Expressionism, cadre, push-up, thiamine, white list