| 释义 |
pre-engagement|ˌpriːɪnˈgeɪdʒmənt|
[pre- A. 2; or f. prec. vb. + -ment.]
1. The act of pre-engaging, or fact of being already or previously engaged.
1647N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lix. (1739) 110 One that came to the Crown without pre-engagement by Promise or Covenant. 1796Ld. Auckland Corr. (1862) III. 359 Stating to me his..pre-engagement in disposing of the present vacancy in office. 1896‘A. Hope’ Phroso i, Two chairs had been tilted up in token of preëngagement.
2. An engagement previously given or made.
1647Cromwell in Stainer Speeches (1901) 44 It is such a pre-engagement that there is no need of talk of the thing. 1751Female Foundling II. 35 He has no Pre-engagement, and consequently no Promise to recal. 1851Carlyle Sterling i. iii. (1872) 20 He now..opened a correspondence with the Times Newspaper,..voluntary Letters, I suppose, without payment or preëngagement.
b. spec. A previous or prior marriage engagement or betrothal.
1684Scanderbeg Rediv. iii. 26 The Lady, being then very young, and asham'd to own her pre-engagement. 1815Zeluca II. 146 As he prefers you, he has broken a pre⁓engagement with me.
†3. A previous or already existing tie, or business claiming attention; a preoccupation. Obs.
1646J. Whitaker Uzziah 38 That we may..lay down all preingagements at the foot of the throne of Jesus Christ. 1684–5Boyle Min. Waters 61 My want of health, and my preingagement to some Subjects that I am more concern'd for. |