engage

engage
verb (engaged; engaging) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French engager, from en- + gage pledge, gage Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to offer (as one's word) as security for a debt or cause 2. a. obsolete to entangle or entrap in or as if in a snare or bog b. to attract and hold by influence or power c. to interlock with ; mesh; also to cause (mechanical parts) to mesh <
engage the clutch
>
3. to bind (as oneself) to do something; especially to bind by a pledge to marry 4. a. to provide occupation for ; involve <
engage him in a new project
>
b. to arrange to obtain the use or services of ; hire <
engage a lawyer
>
5. a. to hold the attention of ; engross <
her work engages her completely
>
b. to induce to participate <
engaged the shy boy in conversation
>
6. a. to enter into contest or battle with <
engage the enemy
>
b. to bring together or interlock (weapons) 7. to deal with especially at length intransitive verb 1. a. to pledge oneself ; promise b. guarantee <
he engages for the honesty of his brother
>
2. a. to begin and carry on an enterprise or activity <
engaged in trade for a number of years
>
b. to take part ; participate <
at college she engaged in gymnastics
>
c. to give attention to something ; deal <
the author's unwillingness to engage with our political system — C. E. Rosenberg
>
3. to enter into conflict or battle 4. to come together and interlock (as of machinery parts) ; be or become in gear

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • engagé — engagé, ée [ ɑ̃gaʒe ] adj. • XVIe; de engager 1 ♦ Archit. Partiellement intégré dans un mur ou un pilier. Colonne engagée. 2 ♦ Qui s est engagé dans l armée (opposé à appelé). Des soldats engagés. Subst. Les engagés et les appelés. « Engagé… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • engagé — engagé, ée (an ga jé, jée) part. passé. 1°   Mis en gage. Des effets engagés au mont de piété.    Domaine engagé, domaine que le souverain concède avec la faculté d y rentrer en remboursant le prix ; ainsi dit parce que, sous l ancienne monarchie …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • engage — [en gāj′, ingāj′] vt. engaged, engaging [ME engagen < OFr engagier: see EN 1 & GAGE1] 1. Obs. to give or assign as security for a debt, etc. 2. to bind (oneself) by a promise; pledge; specif. (now only in the passive), to bind by a promise of… …   English World dictionary

  • engage — en‧gage [ɪnˈgeɪdʒ] verb [transitive] formal to arrange to employ someone or to pay someone to do something for you: engage somebody to do something • You will need to engage a commercial lawyer to protect your interests in the drafting of a… …   Financial and business terms

  • Engage — En*gage , 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,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • engage — I (hire) verb appoint, arrange for the services of, arrange for the use of, bind, book, charter, commission, conducere, contract for, employ, enlist, enlist in one s service, fill a position, give a job to, give a situation to, give employment to …   Law dictionary

  • engage — [v1] hire for job, use appoint, bespeak, book, bring on board*, charter, come on board*, commission, contract, employ, enlist, enroll, ink*, lease, place, prearrange, put on, rent, reserve, retain, secure, sign on, sign up, take on, truck with*;… …   New thesaurus

  • Engage — may refer to:* Engagement in preparation for marriage* Engage (organization), a UK based political organization * Engage (visual arts), the UK National Association for Gallery Education [http://www.engage.org] * N Gage, a smartphone and handheld… …   Wikipedia

  • Engage — En*gage , v. i. 1. To promise or pledge one s self; to enter into an obligation; to become bound; to warrant. [1913 Webster] How proper the remedy for the malady, I engage not. Fuller. [1913 Webster] 2. To embark in a business; to take a part; to …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • engage in — I verb accept, apply oneself to, assume, be occupied with, carry on, commence, commit to, concern oneself with, conduct, contract, devote oneself to, embark on, employ, endeavor, execute, exercise, follow, labor, manage, operate, participate, ply …   Law dictionary

  • engage — ► VERB 1) attract or involve (someone s interest or attention). 2) (engage in/with) participate or become involved in. 3) chiefly Brit. employ or hire. 4) enter into a contract to do. 5) enter into combat with. 6) (with reference to a part of a… …   English terms dictionary

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