| Definitions | | engage |
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verb (engag, ing)
- (transitive) To pledge, to put something at risk or on the line.
- (intransitive) To guarantee or promise (to do something.)
- (transitive) To bind through legal or moral obligation (to do something, especially to marry) (usually in passive)
- (transitive) To engross or hold the attention of someone.
- (context, transitive, archaic) To fascinate or win over someone.
- (transitive) To employ or obtain the services of someone.
- (rfv-sense) (transitive) To reserve or arrange the use of.
- 1895 March 1, Henry F. Osborn, "American Students at the Naples Zoí¶logical Station", in Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, New Series, Volume I, Number 9, http://books.google.com/books?id=DQ0uAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA238&dq=%22engage%22 page 238,
- : He immediately offered, in a most generous way, to a table for his countrymen, and asked me not to admit any more Americans to the European tables.
- 1902, w:Margaret Sidney, Margaret Sidney, w:Five Little Peppers, Five Little Peppers Abroad,http://books.google.com/books?id=VCKibqdWMcAC</sup> Kessinger Publishing (2004), ISBN 1419119893, page 139,
- : Not a word did Tom lisp about the invitation to supper, but tucked his mother"s arm loyally within his own. "Sorry I forgot to a table!" he exclaimed, as they entered the restaurant.
- (rfv-sense) (context, transitive, obsolete) To ensnare or physically entangle.
- To mesh or interlock (of machinery, especially a clutch.)
- (intransitive) To enter into (an activity), to participate (+ in.)
- (transitive) To keep busy or occupied.
- (transitive) To attract, to draw into conversation.
- (transitive) To enter into conflict with (an enemy).
- (intransitive) To enter into battle.
- To bring together or prepare before fighting.
- (military) In air defense, a fire control order used to direct or authorize units and/or weapon systems to fire on a designated target. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
- (military) To bring the enemy under fire. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
(rfc, recombine numerous duplicate senses)
Translations: - Spanish: (t, es, embragar)
(trans-bottom)
(trans-top, To enter into (an activity), to participate (+ in.))
(trans-mid)
(trans-bottom)
(trans-top, To keep busy or occupied)
(trans-mid)
(trans-bottom)
(trans-top, To attract, to draw into conversation)
(trans-mid)
(trans-bottom)
(trans-top, To enter into conflict with (an enemy.))
Etymology: From Old (and modern) French engager (from the same base as English wage).
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