GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Engage (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Engaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Engaging (?).] [F. engager; pref. en- (L. in) + gage pledge, pawn. See Gage.]
1. To put under pledge; to pledge; to place under obligations to do or forbear doing something, as by a pledge, oath, or promise; to bind by contract or promise. “I to thee engaged a prince's word.” Shak.
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2. To gain for service; to bring in as associate or aid; to enlist; as, “to engage friends to aid in a cause; to engage men for service.”
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3. To gain over; to win and attach; to attract and hold; to draw.
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Good nature engages everybody to him. Addison.
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4. To employ the attention and efforts of; to occupy; to engross; to draw on.
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Thus shall mankind his guardian care engage. Pope.
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Taking upon himself the difficult task of engaging him in conversation. Hawthorne.
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5. To enter into contest with; to encounter; to bring to conflict.
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A favorable opportunity of engaging the enemy. Ludlow.
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6. (Mach.) To come into gear with; as, “the teeth of one cogwheel engage those of another, or one part of a clutch engages the other part”.
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Engaged (?), a.
1. Occupied; employed; busy.
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2. Pledged; promised; especially, having the affections pledged; promised in marriage; affianced; betrothed.
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3. Greatly interested; of awakened zeal; earnest.
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4. Involved; esp., involved in a hostile encounter; as, “the engaged ships continued the fight”.
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Engaged column. (Arch.) Same as Attached column. See under Attach, v. t.
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