four-cycle

[ fawr-sahy-kuhl, fohr- ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to an internal-combustion engine in which a complete cycle in each cylinder requires four strokes, one to draw in air or an air-fuel mixture, one to compress it, one to ignite it and do work, and one to scavenge the cylinder.

four-cycle

adjective

1. relating to or designating an internal-combustion engine in which the piston makes four strokes for every explosion Equivalent term (in Britain and certain other countries)four-stroke Compare two-stroke

Word History and Origins

Origin of four-cycle¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

At the top is shown the torque diagram of a single-cylinder motor of the four-cycle type.

From Project Gutenberg

The average compression pressure of a two- or four-cycle engine of the ordinary type, is from 60 to 70 pounds per square inch.

From Project Gutenberg

Gas-engines, of the four-cycle type, such as are industrially employed, will here be principally considered.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the matters discussed were the four-cycle engine, carburetion, transmission and differential, and the storage battery.

From Project Gutenberg

The greater number of engines used in automobiles to-day are of the kind known as the Otto cycle, or four-cycle, engine.

From Project Gutenberg