The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders "radiate" outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a wheel. It resembles a stylized star when viewed from the front, and is called a "star engine" in some languages (German Sternmotor, French moteur en étoile, Japanese 星型エンジン (hoshigata enjin), Italian motore stellare). The radial configuration was commonly used for aircraft engines before gas turbine engines became predominant.