2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Engross  \En*gross"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Engrossed};  p.  pr  & 
  vb  n.  {Engrossing}.]  [F.,  fr  pref.  en-  (L.  in)  +  gros 
  gross,  grosse,  n.,  an  engrossed  document:  cf  OF  engrossir, 
  engroissier  to  make  thick,  large  or  gross.  See  {Gross}.] 
  1.  To  make  gross,  thick,  or  large  to  thicken;  to  increase  in 
  bulk  or  quantity.  [Obs.] 
 
  Waves  .  .  .  engrossed  with  mud.  --Spenser. 
 
  Not  sleeping,  to  engross  his  idle  body.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  To  amass.  [Obs.] 
 
  To  engross  up  glorious  deeds  on  my  behalf.  --Shak. 
 
  3.  To  copy  or  write  in  a  large  hand  (en  gross,  i.  e.,  in 
  large);  to  write  a  fair  copy  of  in  distinct  and  legible 
  characters;  as  to  engross  a  deed  or  like  instrument  on 
  parchment. 
 
  Some  period  long  past,  when  clerks  engrossed  their 
  stiff  and  formal  chirography  on  more  substantial 
  materials.  --Hawthorne. 
 
  Laws  that  may  be  engrossed  on  a  finger  nail.  --De 
  Quincey. 
 
  4.  To  seize  in  the  gross;  to  take  the  whole  of  to  occupy 
  wholly;  to  absorb;  as  the  subject  engrossed  all  his 
  thoughts. 
 
  5.  To  purchase  either  the  whole  or  large  quantities  of  for 
  the  purpose  of  enhancing  the  price  and  making  a  profit; 
  hence  to  take  or  assume  in  undue  quantity,  proportion,  or 
  degree;  as  to  engross  commodities  in  market;  to  engross 
  power. 
 
  {Engrossed  bill}  (Legislation),  one  which  has  been  plainly 
  engrossed  on  parchment,  with  all  its  amendments, 
  preparatory  to  final  action  on  its  passage. 
 
  {Engrossing  hand}  (Penmanship),  a  fair,  round  style  of 
  writing  suitable  for  engrossing  legal  documents, 
  legislative  bills,  etc 
 
  Syn:  To  absorb;  swallow  up  imbibe;  consume;  exhaust;  occupy; 
  forestall;  monopolize.  See  {Absorb}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  engrossed 
  adj  1:  wholly  absorbed  as  in  thought;  "deep  in  thought";  "that 
  engrossed  look  or  rapt  delight";  "the  book  had  her 
  totally  engrossed";  "enwrapped  in  dreams";  "so  intent 
  on  this  fantastic...narrative  that  she  hardly 
  stirred"-  Walter  de  la  Mare;  "rapt  with  wonder"; 
  "wrapped  in  thought"  [syn:  {absorbed},  {enwrapped},  {intent}, 
  {rapt},  {wrapped}] 
  2:  written  formally  in  a  large  clear  script,  as  a  deed  or  other 
  legal  document 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words