The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word TURBINE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
U
R
B
I
N
E
More clues leading to the result TURBINE
- Tribune’s unusual machine
- Rotary engine’s short piece, spun almost completely around
- Serve up dry plonk – after starting it’ll provide you with energy
- Dry riser in energy generator
- English writer hits cart track backing motor
- Engine burnt out absorbing current energy
- Current needed in burnt out energy generator
- Power generator in Italian city charged with British energy
- Rub fluid in between housing of the motor
- Work of engineers some disturb in error
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Rotary engine" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case rotary engine = turbine.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TURBINE mean?
TURBINE noun- Any of various rotary machines that use the kinetic energy of a continuous stream of fluid (a liquid or a gas) to turn a shaft.