A machine for engraving equally spaced parallel straight lines on a surface; (in later use) especially one for engraving lines on a diffraction grating.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The London Journal of Arts and Science.
Definition of ruling engine in US English:
ruling engine
noun
A machine for engraving equally spaced parallel straight lines on a surface; (in later use) especially one for engraving lines on a diffraction grating.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The London Journal of Arts and Science.