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more about engage
engage |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Engage \En*gage"\, v. i. 1. To promise or pledge one's self to enter into an obligation; to become bound; to warrant. How proper the remedy for the malady, I engage not --Fuller. 2. To embark in a business; to take a part to employ or involve one's self to devote attention and effort; to enlist; as to engage in controversy. 3. To enter into conflict; to join battle; as the armies engaged in a general battle. 4. (Mach.) To be in gear, as two cogwheels working together. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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, oath, or promise; to bind by contract or promise. ``I to thee engaged a prince's word.'' --Shak. 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. 3. To gain over to win and attach; to attract and hold to draw. Good nature engages everybody to him --Addison. 4. To employ the attention and efforts of to occupy; to engross; to draw on Thus shall mankind his guardian care engage. --Pope. Taking upon himself the difficult task of engaging him in conversation. --Hawthorne. 5. To enter into contest with to encounter; to bring to conflict. A favorable opportunity of engaging the enemy. --Ludlow. 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 From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: engage v 1: carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in "She pursued many activities"; "They engaged in a discussion" [syn: {prosecute}, {pursue}] 2: engage or engross wholly; "Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely" [syn: {absorb}, {engross}, {occupy}] 3: engage or hire for work "They hired two new secretaries in the department"; "How many people has she employed?" [syn: {hire}, {employ}] [ant: {fire}] 4: as to represent; of legal counsel; "I'm retaining a lawyer" [syn: {retain}] 5: give to in marriage [syn: {betroth}, {affiance}, {plight}] 6: get caught; as of gears [ant: {disengage}] 7: as of wars, battles, or campaigns; "Napoleon and Hitler waged war against all of Europe" [syn: {wage}] 8: as of aid, help, services, or support [syn: {enlist}] 9: engage in a commercial transaction; "We took an apartment on a quiet street"; "Let's rent a car"; "Shall we take a guide in Rome?" [syn: {lease}, {rent}, {hire}, {charter}, {take}] 10: keep engaged; "engaged the gears" [syn: {mesh}, {lock}, {operate}] [ant: {disengage}]
more about engage
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