'efficiency of a heat engine' definitions:

Definition of 'efficiency of a heat engine'

From: GCIDE

efficience \ef*fi"cience\ ([e^]f*f[i^]sh"ens), efficiency \ef*fi"cien*cy\ ([e^]f*f[i^]sh"en*s[y^]), n. [L. efficientia.]
1. The quality of being efficient or producing an effect or effects; efficient power; effectual agency. [1913 Webster]
The manner of this divine efficiency being far above us. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
2. (Mech.) The ratio of useful work to energy expended. --Rankine. [1913 Webster]
efficiency of a heat engine, the ratio of the work done by an engine, to the work due to the heat supplied to it. [1913 Webster]