engagev.

Brit.

/ᵻnˈɡeɪdʒ/,

/ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ/,

/ᵻŋˈɡeɪdʒ/,

/ɛŋˈɡeɪdʒ/, U.S.

/ᵻnˈɡeɪdʒ/,

/ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ/

Forms: α. (1500s enguage, 1600s engadge), 1500s– engage. β. 1500s–1700s ingage.

Etymology: < French engage-r, < en (see en- prefix¹) + gage pledge (see gage n.¹, wage n.): compare the equivalents Provençal engatgar, enguatjar, engatjar, Italian ingaggiare. The transitive and reflexive senses (except 19) approximately follow the senses of French engager ; the intransitive senses and the transitive sense 19 are of English development.

I. To deposit or make over as a pledge.

†1. transitive. To pledge or pawn (movable property); to mortgage (lands, houses, etc.). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > financial dealings > borrowing money > borrow money [verb (transitive)] > pawn

to give (also have, lay, put, take) to pledgec1384

to set, put, lay to or in wedc1384

engage1525

pawn1570

to lay (up) in lavender1584

impawn1598

oppignorate1622

pignorate1623

dip1640

to put to lumber1671

vamp1699

pop1731

sweatc1800

spout1811

lumber1819

up the spout1819

hock1878

soak1882

to put away1887

society > law > legal obligation > bond or recognizance > requiring or giving legal security > legal security [verb (transitive)] > mortgage

wadsetc1330

to lay in (also to) mortgagea1393

to set to mortgagea1393

mortgage1469

gage1474

engage1525

immortgage1575

thirl1582

impignoratea1639

hypothecate1693

1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. cxiii. [cix.] 322 His brother had before that enguaged the thre forsaid castels for florens.

1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 318/2 Duke Robert..engaged a portion of his duchie of Normandy..to his yongest brother Henrie, for a great summe of gold.

1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) ii. vii. 280 The Ciuilians doe adiudge it theft, if one (that laieth his goods to pledge) do embesell them from the partie to whom they were engaged.

1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia i. 3 For an armour he would haue ingaged vs a bagge of pearle.

1669 W. Penn No Cross, No Crown xviii. §9 Persons, who by their Excess..have deeply engaged their Estates.

2. figurative. To pledge, offer as a guarantee (one's life, honour, etc.); also, to expose to risk, compromise. rare in modern use.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge or deposit as security [verb (transitive)] > one's life, honour, etc.

wagec1430

gagec1547

pawna1566

engage1568

wager1640

parole1664

pledge1775

1568 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes (1619) 709 I..admonish the..Officers of Princes not to sell, chaunge, nor engage their liberties as they doe, etc.

1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres iv. ci. sig. Z The Queene perceiuing in what case she stood, To loose her minion or ingage her state.

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) v. iv. 164 This to be true, I do engage my life.

1631 T. Heywood Fair Maid of West: 2nd Pt. iii. sig. F4 My honour, faith, and countrey are ingag'd.

1660 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. III. iv. 10 All this we say without engaging our Opinion.

1677 tr. A.-N. Amelot de La Houssaie Hist. Govt. Venice 63 By a ridiculous Custom this Admiral..engages his Life there shall be no Tempest that day.

1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. xviii. 493 Others had engaged their doubtful fidelity to the emperor.

1855 N. Wiseman Fabiola 238 But my honour is engaged.

II. To bind or secure by a pledge.

†3. To make (a person) security for a payment, the fulfilment of an undertaking, etc.; ‘to render liable for a debt to a creditor’ (Johnson). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > management of money > insolvency > indebtedness > owe [verb (transitive)] > involve (person) in debt

indebt1586

engage1600

dip1817

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 259 I haue ingag'd my selfe to a deere friend, ingag'd my friend to his meere enemie to feede my meanes.

1639 P. Massinger Unnaturall Combat iii. iii. sig. G^v Yet detaine from us The debt..We have made you stand ingag'd for.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxii. 117 He that lendeth it..understandeth those onely for his debtors, that are engaged.

a. To bind by a contract or formal promise.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement with [verb (transitive)] > engage (a person)

ensurec1400

firm1530

wed1578

engage1603

ink1940

contract1961

1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. iii. v. 527 Hazarding rather to consume, then engage themselues to feminine embracements.

a1617 S. Hieron Penance for Sinne in Wks. (1620) II. 332 These vowes were the solemne promises, by which he..ingaged himselfe to God.

1702 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother (ed. 2) iv. i. 1644 My Father's Fate dissolves that Truce to which I stood ingag'd.

1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic III. v. i. 153 He declined engaging himself not to recal his foreign soldiery.

b. spec. To bind by a promise of marriage; to betroth. Chiefly passive and reflexive. (See also 6c.)

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > betroth [verb (transitive)]

handfastlOE

spousea1225

spousec1300

truthc1330

sickerc1384

assure1393

ensurea1450

fiancea1450

affya1500

insure1530

affiance1531

promise1548

betroth1566

espouse1581

contract1599

engage1728

1728 H. Fielding Love in Several Masques ii. viii. 23 Since nothing else will do, I am engaged by all the strength of Vows and Honour.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 648 He was engaged to a young lady of gentle blood.

1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xxx. 257 What would you think of a girl who could engage herself to any man under such circumstances?

c. In modern use often in passive with weaker sense: To have promised one's presence, made an appointment, etc., for any purpose of business or pleasure.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] > promise to meet

trystc1480

engage1885

1885 L. B. Walford Nan, &c. I. 79 He has asked Nan [to dance] before, but she was engaged.

1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. I am engaged for to-morrow, but could dine with you on Monday.

5. [With etymological sense of securing by payment of earnest-money: see gage n.¹, wage n.]

a. To hire, secure the services of (a servant, workman, agent, etc.). Also reflexive of a servant, etc.: To enter into an agreement for service.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ

hirec1000

i-bye10..

i-hirec1000

soldc1386

takea1400

retain1437

wage1465

conduct1476

fee1488

conduce1502

implya1533

entertain1572

enter1585

wager1592

to fill up1598

to take on1611

improve1640

to speak for ——a1688

employa1727

engage1753

ploy1871

to turn on1893

to book up1915

1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. Introd. p. viii One, who engaged himself as a British factor in Persia.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §24. 169 Balmat was engaged at this time as the guide of Mr., etc.

1862 A. Trollope Orley Farm II. xiii. 100 We have engaged the services of Mr. Aram.

1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vi. §6. 325 Thomas Cromwell..was certainly engaged as the commercial agent to one of the Venetian merchants.

1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. He has engaged himself to an engineer.

b. To bespeak or secure (something) for one's own or another's use or possession.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > buying > buy [verb (transitive)] > order > custom-order

forespeak1659

steem1674

bespeak1688

engage1760

1760 G. Washington Diary 7 Jan. (1925) I. 109 Accompanied Mrs. Bassett to Alexandria and engaged a Keg of Butter of Mr. Kirkpatrick, being quite out of that article.

1770 Maryland Hist. Mag. 12 358 Pray write to Coolidge and send an Express to him to Engage the Corn and to send it up as soon as possible.

1797 R. Southey Lett. from Spain ii. 9 The boxes [in the theatre] are engaged by the season.

1841 H. H. Wilson Trav. Moorcroft & Trebeck I. 199 I laid in a considerable quantity of wheat flour at Tandí, and engaged carriers and ponies for its transport.

1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. I have engaged rooms at the hotel. This seat is engaged. Engage places for us in the coach.

6. intransitive for reflexive (in senses 4, 5).

a. gen. To pledge oneself; to enter into a covenant or undertaking. Const. to with infinitive, or subordinate clause; †rarely into, unto with noun as object. Also, to ‘warrant’, pledge one's credit, assert on one's own responsibility that.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] > enter into or pledge oneself

covenantc1440

bind1488

undertake1572

engage1604

pre-engage1652

subscribe1680

1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alphabet. Ingage, lay to pledge, binde himselfe.

1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times iii. xx. 142 How proper the Remedy for the Malady I engage not.

1649 E. Reynolds Israels Prayer (new ed.) iv. 57 A manifestation of that love in some promise or other, ingageing unto assistance.

1650 in E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 184 His Lordship..was to engadge it should be repaid in that time [3 yeares].

1661 Grand Deb. Rev. & Alteration Bk. Common Prayer 100 Renouncing the flesh, etc. And ingageing into the Christian belief.

1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity iii. iv. 335 When Christ promises so much to them who engage with him.

1720 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 100 Our Indians have repeatedly engaged to me that they would go no more out to War.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 118. ⁋9 The man..has no other care than to collect interest, to estimate securities, and to engage for mortgages.

1787 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 303 The court of London engaged not to abandon Prussia.

1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 242 Harold further engaged to give his sister in marriage to an unnamed Norman noble.

1878 R. Browning Poets Croisic xviii Croisic, I'll engage, With Rome yields sort for sort, in age for age.

b. to engage for: to be answerable for, guarantee; later, to undertake to perform, to promise. Rarely in indirect passive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (intransitive)]

testify1377

I dare layc1380

borrowc1475

to engage fora1680

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 70 Some near Friend..engaged for his Honesty and good Behaviour.

1709 J. Swift Let. conc. Sacramental Test 9 How chearfully they Engaged for the Safety of the Nation.

1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies II. xxxviii. 68 He could not engage for their [Fakires'] Safety among his Countrymen.

1751 S. Richardson Clarissa (ed. 3) IV. lii. 322 Her wishes..were gently intimated, and as readily engaged for.

1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice I. i. 4 It is more than I engage for, I assure you.

1866 T. Carlyle Inaug. Addr. Edinb. 171 That is pretty much all I can engage for.

†c. To betroth oneself (see 4b). Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > engage oneself to marry [verb (intransitive)]

to plight (also pledge) (one's) troth?c1225

truthc1350

handfast1547

contract1660

engage1722

1722 D. Defoe Relig. Courtship i. i. 10 She will know how it is as to that, before she engages.

d. To agree with a servant, workman, or employé for hired service. Occasionally with indirect passive. (Mostly superseded by 5a.)

ΚΠ

1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §293 Till proper persons could be engaged with and sent off.

1825 T. Cosnett Footman's Direct. 217 Many ladies and gentlemen will not engage with any one who does not know town well.

e. Of a servant, etc.: To take service (with a master or employer). Cf. 5a.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (intransitive)] > take service with an employer

to take on1650

engage1766

society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > take service with an employer

engage1766

1766 J. Wedgwood Let. 15 Sept. in Sel. Lett. (1965) 42 I should expect him to engage for three years at least.

1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. Before I engage with another master, I will, etc.

a. transitive. In wider sense: To bind by moral or legal obligation. Const. to with n. or infinitive.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal obligation > put under legal obligation [verb (transitive)]

obligea1325

astringe1523

obligate1581

astrictc1600

engage1642

conclude1883

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)]

obligea1325

conclude1393

astrainc1475

astringe1523

obstringe1528

obligate1533

bind1549

debt-bind1563

astrictc1600

tie1608

engage1642

to put (a person) on his or her honour1656

pin1710

1642 King Charles I Gracious Answer Earles Bristol & Dorset 5 The municipall and fundamentall Lawes of that Nation ingage the Subject to..strictnesse of obedience.

1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (xviii. 1 Paraphr.) 94 I stand ingaged, most passionately to love, and bless, and magnifie thee.

1682 N. Grew Idea Philos. Hist. Plants 4 in Anat. Plants The present Design will ingage us, to an accurate and multifarious Observation of Plants.

†b. To lay under obligations of gratitude; to oblige. Const. to (a person), or simply. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > treat kindly [verb (transitive)] > be gracious or show favour to > do a favour to or treat

favourc1374

to do a person (a) pleasure1460

to show a person (a) pleasure1460

oblige1567

engage1626

caress1679

serve1794

1626 S. D'Ewes in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) III. 214 By which I assure my selfe further ingaged, then by your most kind acknowledgement anye way discharged.

1631 T. Heywood Fair Maid of West: 2nd Pt. iii. sig. F3 Good gentlemen Ingage me so far to you.

1648 O. Cromwell Lett. 8 Mar. (Carlyle) I am engaged to you for all your civilities.

1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. iii. 61 If thou protect him, thou wilt preserve our friend, and infinitely engage us.

†c. In passive: To be ‘committed’ to (certain opinions). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion, opine [verb (intransitive)] > be committed to

assistc1600

engagea1676

to have (a person) pegged1920

a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) iv. vi. 339 They are destitute of any satisfactory Evidence, to any person that is not strangely and impotently engaged to them.

a. To urge, exhort, persuade, induce; said both of persons and of motives, etc. In 18th cent. often approaching the sense of French engager ‘to invite’. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > exhort

movea1382

enhort1382

exhortc1475

cohort1481

adhorta1500

urge1565

engage1647

1647 J. Sprigge Anglia Rediviva iv. vii. 274 That all may be rather convinced and engaged by argument and truth.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 963 O..example high! Ingaging me to emulate.

1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 16 Jan. (1965) I. 294 Her Highnesse..when I left her engag'd me to write to her.

1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. I. viii. 166 He engaged the grand-master of the templars by large presents..to put him in possession of Gisors.

1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §297 The high wages..did not engage them to secure themselves with a sufficient stock of provisions.

1839 T. Keightley Hist. Eng. (new ed.) I. 105 He engaged them to declare in his favour.

1862 T. L. Kington Frederick II II. xiii. 171 Enzio had engaged the Castle..to surrender.

†b. with noun of action as object. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1742 S. Johnson in J. Swan tr. T. Sydenham Entire Wks. x The author which gave him most pleasure, and most engaged his imitation.

a. To gain, win over, as an adherent or helper. Cf. 5a. archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > win over

procurec1325

to gain over1582

bribe1592

overwork1593

overwin1600

smooth1608

overpersuade1639

spirit1656

over-entreata1661

engage1699

to bring over1724

to draw over1734

conciliate1796

to carry over1855

1699 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ II. iii. vii. 72 Whom Paris had engag'd to his Party by a large Summ of Money.

1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind (1801) xv. 14 Engage the God of truth on our side.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 95. ⁋19 Such is the hazard of..engaging reason against its own determinations.

1781 S. Johnson Blackmore in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets V. 4 To engage poetry in the cause of Virtue.

1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. ii. 372 For the sake of the bribes with which the Duan took care to engage him.

†b. To secure for oneself (help, sympathy, approval). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > acquisition > obtain or acquire [verb (transitive)] > as something desired or advantageous

findOE

winc1000

betellc1275

getc1330

reapa1350

craftc1350

attainc1374

achievea1393

embrace?c1475

conquer1477

consecute1536

gain1570

lucrify1570

compass1609

raise1611

lucrate1623

reconcile1665

engage1725

to pull off1860

1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. xiii. 345 Alcinous to persuade, To raise his wonder, and engage his aid.

1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. ii. 8 Those whose approbation we wish to engage.

10. To attach by pleasing qualities; to attract, charm, fascinate. Cf. 14. Also absol. Now rare; cf. engaging adj.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > attract [verb (transitive)]

attract1584

trance1597

fetch1607

magnetize1658

engage1693

seduce1747

appeala1885

1693 M. Prior Ode in Examen Poeticum 436 When Beauty ceases to engage.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 106. ¶3 This Humanity and good Nature engages every Body to him.

1751 Ld. Chesterfield Let. Mar. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1693 If you engage his heart, you have a fair chance for imposing upon his understanding.

1773 S. Johnson Let. 6 Sept. (1992) II. 67 She engaged me so much that I made her a present of Cocker's Arithmetick.

1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 147 If books that could engage Their childhood, pleased them at a riper age.

1814 T. Chalmers Evid. Christian Revel. i. 22 Their heart is engaged by the amiable morality [of the gospel].

a1876 J. H. Newman Hist. Sketches I. ii. iv. 257 Cicero engages our affections by the integrity of his public conduct.

III. To cause to be held fast; to involve, entangle.The physical sense 11 (adopted from French) appears to be a development from the sense ‘to put in pledge’ = 1. Senses 12 – 16 are chiefly figurative applications of 11, but often influenced by the notion of branch II.

11. In physical senses.

a. To entangle, e.g. in a snare or net, in a bog. Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > by entangling or binding

shrenchc897

beswapec980

taglea1340

tanglea1340

gyve1377

encumber138.

engleimc1400

wrapc1412

involvec1440

fetter1526

mesh1532

crawl1548

felter1567

to tie up1570

in trick1572

ensnarl1593

entrammel1598

engage1603

casta1605

imbrier1605

weave1620

immaze1631

trammel1727

enchain1751

entangle1790

enmesh1822

in mesh1875

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)]

shrenchc897

beswike971

betrapa1000

bewindOE

undernimc1175

undertakec1175

bisayc1200

beguile?c1225

catchc1225

beginc1250

biwilea1275

tele?a1300

enginec1300

lime13..

umwrithea1340

engrin1340

oblige1340

belimec1350

enlacec1374

girnc1375

encumber138.

gnarec1380

enwrap1382

briguea1387

snarl1387

upbroid1387

trap1390

entrikea1393

englue1393

gildera1400

aguilec1400

betraisec1400

embrygec1400

snare1401

lacea1425

maska1425

begluec1430

marl1440

supprise?c1450

to prey ona1500

attrap1524

circumvene1526

entangle1526

tangle1526

entrap1531

mesh1532

embrake1542

crawl1548

illaqueate1548

intricate1548

inveigle1551

circumvent1553

felter1567

besnare1571

in trick1572

ensnare1576

overcatch1577

underfong1579

salt1580

entoil1581

comprehend1584

windlassa1586

folda1592

solicit1592

toil1592

bait1600

beset1600

engage1603

benet1604

imbrier1605

ambush1611

inknot1611

enmesha1616

trammela1616

fool1620

pinion1621

aucupate1630

fang1637

surprise1642

underreacha1652

trepan1656

ensnarl1658

stalk1659

irretiate1660

coil1748

nail1766

net1803

to rope in1840

mousetrap1870

spider1891

1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 276 The barble fishes, if one of them chance to be engaged.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iii. 69 O limed soule, that struggling to be free, Art more ingaged .

1652 J. Wadsworth tr. P. de Sandoval Civil Wars Spain 362 The Foot stuck fast, engaged in the mire to the very knees.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 114 Thou may'st..beamy Stags in Toyls engage .

figurative.1631 T. Heywood Londons Ius Honorarium in Wks. (1874) IV. 271 Upon them stand Two dangerous rocks, your safety to ingage.1638 J. Ford Fancies v. 64 Those ties of nature..How much they doe engage.1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iii. 346 That thou may'st know I seek not to engage Thy Vertue.

b. Architecture. To fasten, attach. In passive of a pillar: To be let into (a wall), so as to be partly enclosed. See engaged adj. 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > attach or affix [verb (transitive)]

fastenOE

fasta1225

tachec1315

to-seta1340

catcha1350

affichea1382

to put ona1382

tacka1387

to put to1396

adjoina1400

attach?a1400

bend1399

spyndec1400

to-tachc1400

affixc1448

complexc1470

setc1480

attouch1483

found?1541

obligate1547

patch1549

alligate1563

dight1572

inyoke1595

infixa1616

wreathe1643

adlige1650

adhibit1651

oblige1656

adent1658

to bring to1681

engage1766

superfix1766

to lap on1867

accrete1870

1766 T. Smollett Trav. France & Italy 94 Twelve columns engaged in the wall.

1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 4 I did not engage them to the Brace Beams.

1849 J. Ruskin Seven Lamps Archit. iii. 73 The lowest with its pillars engaged.

1865 Athenæum No. 1947. 230/3 The columns are ‘engaged’ to the square outer piers.

1877 A. B. Edwards Thousand Miles up Nile xviii. 495 Engaged in the brickwork on either side of the principal entrance to this hall are two stone door-jambs.

c. Mechanics (intransitive for reflexive) of a portion of machinery, as a cog-wheel, etc.: To interlock with, fit into a corresponding part.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > of wheel: operate [verb (intransitive)] > interlock

engraina1774

engage1884

1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 28 Aug. 5/2 Engages with the cylinder and locks it for firing.

12.

†a. transitive. To cause (esp. an armed force) to penetrate into the interior of a country, into a defile, mountain pass, etc. (so as render withdrawal difficult); also reflexive (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > assign to position > commit to difficult position

engage1645

1645 O. Cromwell Lett. 9 Apr. (Carlyle) Lest we should engage our Body of Horse too far into that enclosed country.

1693 tr. J. Le Clerc Mem. Count Teckely iv. 55 The hardness of the Season, hindered him from engaging himself further into Transylvania.

b. intransitive. †To enter into a country, etc. (obsolete); to involve oneself in (an intricate path, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > aspects of travel > arrival > arrive [verb (intransitive)]

to come toOE

comeOE

yworthOE

lend11..

lightc1225

overtakec1225

redea1275

wina1300

'rivec1300

repaira1325

applyc1384

to come ina1399

arrivec1400

attainc1400

alightc1405

to come to handc1450

unto-comec1450

apport1578

to get through1589

reach1591

to be along1597

land1679

engage1686

to get in1863

to breeze in1930

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > reaching a point or place > reach a point or place [verb (intransitive)] > arrive

comeOE

to come to townOE

yworthOE

lend11..

lightc1225

to come anovenonc1275

wina1300

'rivec1300

repaira1325

applyc1384

to come ina1399

rede?a1400

arrivec1400

attainc1400

alightc1405

to come to handc1450

unto-comec1450

apport1578

to be along1597

to drop in1609

to come ona1635

to walk in1656

land1679

engage1686

to come along1734

to get in1863

to turn up1870

to fall in1900

to lob1916

to roll up1920

to breeze in1930

to rock up1975

1686 Bp. G. Burnet Some Lett. conc. Switzerland iii. 170 We ingage into that range of Hills that carry the name of Apenins.

1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xii. 127 Mr. Bayham made an abrupt tack larboard, engaging in a labyrinth of stables.

†13.

a. To entangle, involve, commit, mix up (in an undertaking, quarrel, etc.). Const. in, less often into, to, with. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > have to do with or be involved in or with > involve in something

lapa1340

implyc1374

engage1593

dipa1627

concern1675

involve1704

implicate1798

intrigue1899

1593 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia 182 So far had we engaged ourselves..that we listed not to complain.

1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 104 They will engage him into their owne Quarels.

c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1635 (1955) II. 13 When she perceived the perill, whereto its excesse had engaged her.

1662–3 Sir C. Lyttelton in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 29 For I was deeply engaged w^th him upon a planting interest.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 217 These Follies had such Influence on the Rabble, As to engage them in perpetual Squabble.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 254 Into this the King of Sweden, then a child, was engaged: So it was called the Triple Alliance.

1727 J. Swift Let. to very Young Lady in Misc. II. 327 To engage you, by her insinuations, in misunderstanding with your best Friends.

1740 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) VII. 325 He had engaged his city in the Achæan league.

†b. intransitive for reflexive. To entangle, involve, or mix oneself up. Const. in, less often among, into. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate together or with [verb (intransitive)]

mingc1275

company1387

joinc1390

meddlec1390

herd?a1400

fellowshipc1430

enfellowship1470

to step in1474

accompany?1490

yoke?a1513

to keep with ——c1515

conjoin1532

wag1550

frequent1577

encroach1579

consort1588

sort1595

commerce1596

troop1597

converse1598

to keep (also enter, come into, etc.) commons1598

to enter common1604

atone1611

to walk (also travel) in the way with1611

minglea1616

consociate1638

associate1644

corrive1647

co-unite1650

walk1650

cohere1651

engage1657

mix1667

accustom1670

to make one1711

coalite1735

commerciate1740

to have nothing to say to (also with)1780

gang?1791

companion1792

mess1795

matea1832

comrade1865

to go around1904

to throw in with1906

to get down1975

1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 567 Yet hee will needs have mee engage into such questions.

a1667 A. Cowley Obscurity If we engage into a large Acquaintance..we set open our gates to the Invaders of most of our time.

1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 36. ⁋3 Much earlier than we engage among the actions and passions of mankind.

1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) II. 208 The nation again engaged in debt.

14. transitive. To attract and hold fast (attention, interest); formerly also with personal object, ‘to hold by the attention’ (Johnson). Cf. 10.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > engage the attention [verb (transitive)]

exercisea1538

entertainc1540

replenish1548

rouse1583

catcha1586

amuse1586

detainc1595

attract1599

grope1602

concerna1616

take1634

stay1639

engage1642

meet1645

nudge1675

strike1697

hitcha1764

seize1772

interest1780

acuminate1806

arrest1835

grip1891

intrigue1894

grab1966

work1969

1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. x. 286 Their Auditours, generally as engaged as the Disputants, will succour their Champion with partiall relations.

1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 221 Nothing..fit to stay or ingage a Soul that is Capable of Enjoying God.

1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 503. ⁋2 Her form..engaged the eyes of the whole congregation in an instant.

1713 Ld. Shaftesbury Notion Hist. Draught Judgm. Hercules i. 7 He admires, he contemplates, but is not yet ingag'd or interested.

1773 H. Chapone Lett. Improvem. Mind I. 2 I will hope that your attention may be engaged, by..Truths of the highest importance.

1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds Pref. 12 Will impress the memory and engage the interest.

15. transitive. To provide occupation for, employ (a person, his powers, thoughts, efforts, etc.). Now nearly always passive. Formerly also, †to make use of (an instrument).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)]

busyeOE

busyOE

occupya1325

exercisec1384

employ1477

embusy1485

to hold (also keep) in play1548

exerce1584

engage1648

to tie up1887

1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. (1655) xx. 157 Beginning now to repent me of what I was now ingaged in.

1651 J. Saint-Amard tr. F. Micanzio Life Father Paul sig. N6 It would be necessary to engage a volume of praises.

1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress Author's Apol. sig. A4 Behold how he ingageth all his Wits.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 5 Both Armies..Are in a bloody Fight engag'd.

1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xiii. 227 The Iron Pin in the Hole of the Beam kept it to its due Distance from the Center; so that neither hand was ingaged to guide it.

1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 31 It [is] a question which has engaged better heads and pens than mine.

1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 242 Mr. Dibdin is engaged in writing a list of the classical library of the Earl of Spencer.

1828 M. M. Sherwood Lady of Manor VI. xxvi. 14 I contrived to seem engaged with my guitar.

1864 J. H. Newman Apologia App. 11 Many of them are engaged on one subject.

1872 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 306 Producing excellent milling ore at a handsome profit to the men engaged in it.

16. intransitive for reflexive. ‘To embark in any business’ (Johnson); to enter upon or employ oneself in an action. Const. in, formerly on, upon, and simply. Cf. 13b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)]

found12..

to take on (also upon) one(self)a1300

assay1330

study1340

to put (also lay, set, etc.) one's hand to the ploughc1384

intendc1385

pressc1390

to put oneself in pressc1390

gatherc1400

undertakec1405

sayc1425

to fall in hand with (also to do (something))c1450

setc1485

obligea1500

essay?1515

attend1523

supprise1532

to set in foot1542

enterprise1547

address1548

to set in hand1548

prove1612

to make it one's businessa1628

engage1646

embark1647

bend1694

to take hold1868

1646 King Charles I Ch. Govt. (1849) 43 I will not engage upon new questions not necessary for my purpose.

1671 T. Gumble Life Gen. Monck In whatsoever condition he had engaged, he had found or made a great Fortune.

a1687 W. Petty Polit. Anat. Ireland (1691) 47 The restored Irish.. will be careful how they engage any more upon a frivolous, impious Undertaking.

1732 G. Berkeley Serm. in Wks. (1871) III. 241 Those who at this day engage in the propagation of the gospel.

1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 12 Dec. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1463 He engaged young, and distinguished himself in business.

1825 R. Southey Tale of Paraguay iv. vi Not desiring to engage Upon the busy world's contentious stage.

1830 R. Knox tr. P. A. Béclard Elements Gen. Anat. Introd. 18 He had..engaged deeply in the study of languages.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 191 The government engaged in war with the United Provinces.

1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 364 If I had engaged in politics, I should have perished long ago.

IV. With reference to combat. [Specialized uses of III.]

17. transitive. Of combatants: To interlock (weapons). Cf. French engager le fer, to cross swords. Also absol., as to engage in tierce, engage in quart.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > thrust or gore with horn

putc1450

gore?1530

burt?1567

butt1590

horn1599

push1611

hipe1669

engage1694

sticka1896

society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > interlock (weapons)

engage1833

1694 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in Ann. Misc. 25 The stooping Warriors..Engage their clashing Horns.

1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. iv. 138 Forming quickly his ‘Engaging Guard’ to any point required.

1881 J. M. Waite Sabre, Singlestick 101 A man thus armed engages in quarte or tierce.

18.

a. transitive. To bring (troops) into conflict with the enemy.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > direct into battle

to set in1487

engage1868

to bring up1885

1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. ii. 30 [They] could scarcely have reached the camp before they found themselves engaged with the enemy.

1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. He had taken care not to engage the whole of his troops.

b. to engage a combat (rare; after French engager le combat).

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle

to come togetherOE

to lay togetherc1275

smitec1275

to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297

joustc1330

meetc1330

copec1350

assemblea1375

semblea1375

coup?a1400

to fight togethera1400

strikea1400

joinc1400

to join the battle1455

to commit battle?a1475

rencounter1497

to set ina1500

to pitch a battlea1513

concura1522

rescounter1543

scontre1545

journey1572

shock1575

yoke1581

to give in1610

mix1697

to engage a combat1855

to run (or ride) a-tilt1862

1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic III. v. v. 326 The mortal combat between the Inquisition and the Reformation was already fully engaged.

1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic III. vi. i. 369 The fierce combat had already been engaged in..the darkness.

c. intransitive for reflexive: To enter into combat (with); also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > meet in battle

meeteOE

to meet withc1325

abattlec1400

recounter1455

check1535

to come up against1535

entertain1555

yoke1581

cope1594

conflict1599

clash1650

engage1697

engage1698

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 64 East and West ingage, And at their Frontiers meet.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 108 Ev'n the fearful Stag dares for his Hind engage .

1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. ii. 94 The Earl of Holland was sent with a Body of three thousand Horse..to meet it [a party of the Scots army] and Engage with it.

1765 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 2) II. iii. 152 On the outside is Fairfax himself on his chestnut horse, men engaging at a distance.

1783 G. Crabbe Village i. 13 That hoary swain, whose age Can with no cares except its own engage.

1823 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War I. 102 The mob..did not venture to engage against musketry and cannon with their knives.

1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. III. 59 One day he met a man muffled in a cloak, who engaged with him..and stabbed him.

19. transitive (= ‘to engage with’: see 18) To attack, enter into a combat with (an army, a ship); also (now rarely) figurative.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > meet in battle

meeteOE

to meet withc1325

abattlec1400

recounter1455

check1535

to come up against1535

entertain1555

yoke1581

cope1594

conflict1599

clash1650

engage1697

engage1698

1698 Mem. E. Ludlow I. 47 We lost..a favourable opportunity of engaging the enemy.

1698 T. Hearne Ductor Historicus I. iii. xviii. 379 Tarquin..engaged the Romans, [and] was defeated.

1709 London Gaz. No. 4547/2 He..was obliged to engage her to Leeward.

1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 32 These Monsters, Criticks! with your Darts engage.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xi. 252 We had not been inattentive to the means of engaging her to advantage.

1786 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) I. 549 I have engaged the abuses of the tobacco trade on a more general scale.

1839 T. Keightley Hist. Eng. (new ed.) I. 68 On the right bank of the river they were engaged by the Earls Edwin and Morcar.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	engage
释义	engagen. Brit. /ᵻnˈɡeɪdʒ/, /ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ/, /ᵻŋˈɡeɪdʒ/, /ɛŋˈɡeɪdʒ/, U.S. /ᵻnˈɡeɪdʒ/, /ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ/ Etymology: < engage v.; compare Italian ingaggio. †1. a. Engagement, bargain. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > [noun] accordc1275 assentc1400 agreement1427 appointment?1440 agreec1475 condition1483 covin1489 agreeance1525 concluding1530 compaction1534 indenture1540 conjurea1547 obsignation?1555 conclusion1569 engage1589 astipulation1595 adstipulation1598 agreation1598 tractation1600 closing1606 dispatch1612 combinationa1616 engagement1617 closure1647 covenantinga1649 adjustment1674 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xix. 195 Nor that it came by purchase or engage. b. The state of being engaged or entangled; embarrassment, peril (cf. engage v. 13). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > [noun] > entangling or confining > fact of being entangled engage1628 engagement1642 involvement1706 1628 G. Sandys tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (rev. ed.) xiii. 352 Nestor..implor'd to his ingage Vlysses helpe. 2. In Sword-exercise: (the verb in the imperative used substantively: see engage v. 17). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > actions buttc1330 overheadc1400 stopc1450 quarter-strokea1456 rabbeta1500 rakea1500 traverse1547 flourish1552 quarter-blow1555 veny1578 alarm1579 venue1591 cut1593 time1594 caricado1595 fincture1595 imbroccata1595 mandritta1595 punta riversa1595 remove1595 stramazon1595 traversa1595 imbrocado1597 passado1597 counter-time1598 foinery1598 canvasado1601 montant1601 punto1601 stock1602 embrocadoc1604 pass1604 stuck1604 stramazo1606 home thrust1622 longee1625 falsify?1635 false1637 traversion1637 canvassa1641 parade1652 flanconade1664 parry1673 fore-stroke1674 allonge1675 contretemps1684 counter1684 disengaging1684 feint1684 passing1687 under-counter1687 stringere1688 stringering1688 tempo1688 volte1688 overlapping1692 repost1692 volt-coupe1692 volting1692 disarm?1700 stamp1705 passade1706 riposte1707 swoop1711 retreat1734 lunge1748 beat1753 disengage1771 disengagement1771 opposition1771 time thrust1771 timing1771 whip1771 shifting1793 one-two1809 one-two-three1809 salute1809 estramazone1820 remise1823 engage1833 engaging1833 risposta1838 lunging1847 moulinet1861 reprise1861 stop-thrust1861 engagement1881 coupé1889 scrape1889 time attack1889 traverse1892 cut-over1897 tac-au-tac riposte1907 flèche1928 replacement1933 punta dritta1961 1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. iv. 142/1 Come to the ‘Engage’. 1871 Daily News 14 Jan. Men..sat down cheerfully in their saddles, and brought their swords to the ‘engage’. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022). engagev. Brit. /ᵻnˈɡeɪdʒ/, /ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ/, /ᵻŋˈɡeɪdʒ/, /ɛŋˈɡeɪdʒ/, U.S. /ᵻnˈɡeɪdʒ/, /ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ/ Forms: α. (1500s enguage, 1600s engadge), 1500s– engage. β. 1500s–1700s ingage. Etymology: < French engage-r, < en (see en- prefix¹) + gage pledge (see gage n.¹, wage n.): compare the equivalents Provençal engatgar, enguatjar, engatjar, Italian ingaggiare. The transitive and reflexive senses (except 19) approximately follow the senses of French engager ; the intransitive senses and the transitive sense 19 are of English development. I. To deposit or make over as a pledge. †1. transitive. To pledge or pawn (movable property); to mortgage (lands, houses, etc.). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > financial dealings > borrowing money > borrow money [verb (transitive)] > pawn to give (also have, lay, put, take) to pledgec1384 to set, put, lay to or in wedc1384 engage1525 pawn1570 to lay (up) in lavender1584 impawn1598 oppignorate1622 pignorate1623 dip1640 to put to lumber1671 vamp1699 pop1731 sweatc1800 spout1811 lumber1819 up the spout1819 hock1878 soak1882 to put away1887 society > law > legal obligation > bond or recognizance > requiring or giving legal security > legal security [verb (transitive)] > mortgage wadsetc1330 to lay in (also to) mortgagea1393 to set to mortgagea1393 mortgage1469 gage1474 engage1525 immortgage1575 thirl1582 impignoratea1639 hypothecate1693 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. cxiii. [cix.] 322 His brother had before that enguaged the thre forsaid castels for florens. 1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 318/2 Duke Robert..engaged a portion of his duchie of Normandy..to his yongest brother Henrie, for a great summe of gold. 1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) ii. vii. 280 The Ciuilians doe adiudge it theft, if one (that laieth his goods to pledge) do embesell them from the partie to whom they were engaged. 1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia i. 3 For an armour he would haue ingaged vs a bagge of pearle. 1669 W. Penn No Cross, No Crown xviii. §9 Persons, who by their Excess..have deeply engaged their Estates. 2. figurative. To pledge, offer as a guarantee (one's life, honour, etc.); also, to expose to risk, compromise. rare in modern use. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge or deposit as security [verb (transitive)] > one's life, honour, etc. wagec1430 gagec1547 pawna1566 engage1568 wager1640 parole1664 pledge1775 1568 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes (1619) 709 I..admonish the..Officers of Princes not to sell, chaunge, nor engage their liberties as they doe, etc. 1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres iv. ci. sig. Z The Queene perceiuing in what case she stood, To loose her minion or ingage her state. a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) v. iv. 164 This to be true, I do engage my life. View more context for this quotation 1631 T. Heywood Fair Maid of West: 2nd Pt. iii. sig. F4 My honour, faith, and countrey are ingag'd. 1660 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. III. iv. 10 All this we say without engaging our Opinion. 1677 tr. A.-N. Amelot de La Houssaie Hist. Govt. Venice 63 By a ridiculous Custom this Admiral..engages his Life there shall be no Tempest that day. 1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. xviii. 493 Others had engaged their doubtful fidelity to the emperor. 1855 N. Wiseman Fabiola 238 But my honour is engaged. II. To bind or secure by a pledge. †3. To make (a person) security for a payment, the fulfilment of an undertaking, etc.; ‘to render liable for a debt to a creditor’ (Johnson). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > management of money > insolvency > indebtedness > owe [verb (transitive)] > involve (person) in debt indebt1586 engage1600 dip1817 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 259 I haue ingag'd my selfe to a deere friend, ingag'd my friend to his meere enemie to feede my meanes. View more context for this quotation 1639 P. Massinger Unnaturall Combat iii. iii. sig. G^v Yet detaine from us The debt..We have made you stand ingag'd for. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxii. 117 He that lendeth it..understandeth those onely for his debtors, that are engaged. 4. a. To bind by a contract or formal promise. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement with [verb (transitive)] > engage (a person) ensurec1400 firm1530 wed1578 engage1603 ink1940 contract1961 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. iii. v. 527 Hazarding rather to consume, then engage themselues to feminine embracements. a1617 S. Hieron Penance for Sinne in Wks. (1620) II. 332 These vowes were the solemne promises, by which he..ingaged himselfe to God. 1702 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother (ed. 2) iv. i. 1644 My Father's Fate dissolves that Truce to which I stood ingag'd. 1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic III. v. i. 153 He declined engaging himself not to recal his foreign soldiery. b. spec. To bind by a promise of marriage; to betroth. Chiefly passive and reflexive. (See also 6c.) ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > betroth [verb (transitive)] handfastlOE spousea1225 spousec1300 truthc1330 sickerc1384 assure1393 ensurea1450 fiancea1450 affya1500 insure1530 affiance1531 promise1548 betroth1566 espouse1581 contract1599 engage1728 1728 H. Fielding Love in Several Masques ii. viii. 23 Since nothing else will do, I am engaged by all the strength of Vows and Honour. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 648 He was engaged to a young lady of gentle blood. 1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xxx. 257 What would you think of a girl who could engage herself to any man under such circumstances? c. In modern use often in passive with weaker sense: To have promised one's presence, made an appointment, etc., for any purpose of business or pleasure. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] > promise to meet trystc1480 engage1885 1885 L. B. Walford Nan, &c. I. 79 He has asked Nan [to dance] before, but she was engaged. 1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. I am engaged for to-morrow, but could dine with you on Monday. 5. [With etymological sense of securing by payment of earnest-money: see gage n.¹, wage n.] a. To hire, secure the services of (a servant, workman, agent, etc.). Also reflexive of a servant, etc.: To enter into an agreement for service. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ hirec1000 i-bye10.. i-hirec1000 soldc1386 takea1400 retain1437 wage1465 conduct1476 fee1488 conduce1502 implya1533 entertain1572 enter1585 wager1592 to fill up1598 to take on1611 improve1640 to speak for ——a1688 employa1727 engage1753 ploy1871 to turn on1893 to book up1915 1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. Introd. p. viii One, who engaged himself as a British factor in Persia. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §24. 169 Balmat was engaged at this time as the guide of Mr., etc. 1862 A. Trollope Orley Farm II. xiii. 100 We have engaged the services of Mr. Aram. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vi. §6. 325 Thomas Cromwell..was certainly engaged as the commercial agent to one of the Venetian merchants. 1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. He has engaged himself to an engineer. b. To bespeak or secure (something) for one's own or another's use or possession. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > buying > buy [verb (transitive)] > order > custom-order forespeak1659 steem1674 bespeak1688 engage1760 1760 G. Washington Diary 7 Jan. (1925) I. 109 Accompanied Mrs. Bassett to Alexandria and engaged a Keg of Butter of Mr. Kirkpatrick, being quite out of that article. 1770 Maryland Hist. Mag. 12 358 Pray write to Coolidge and send an Express to him to Engage the Corn and to send it up as soon as possible. 1797 R. Southey Lett. from Spain ii. 9 The boxes [in the theatre] are engaged by the season. 1841 H. H. Wilson Trav. Moorcroft & Trebeck I. 199 I laid in a considerable quantity of wheat flour at Tandí, and engaged carriers and ponies for its transport. 1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. I have engaged rooms at the hotel. This seat is engaged. Engage places for us in the coach. 6. intransitive for reflexive (in senses 4, 5). a. gen. To pledge oneself; to enter into a covenant or undertaking. Const. to with infinitive, or subordinate clause; †rarely into, unto with noun as object. Also, to ‘warrant’, pledge one's credit, assert on one's own responsibility that. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] > enter into or pledge oneself covenantc1440 bind1488 undertake1572 engage1604 pre-engage1652 subscribe1680 1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alphabet. Ingage, lay to pledge, binde himselfe. 1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times iii. xx. 142 How proper the Remedy for the Malady I engage not. 1649 E. Reynolds Israels Prayer (new ed.) iv. 57 A manifestation of that love in some promise or other, ingageing unto assistance. 1650 in E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 184 His Lordship..was to engadge it should be repaid in that time [3 yeares]. 1661 Grand Deb. Rev. & Alteration Bk. Common Prayer 100 Renouncing the flesh, etc. And ingageing into the Christian belief. 1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity iii. iv. 335 When Christ promises so much to them who engage with him. 1720 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 100 Our Indians have repeatedly engaged to me that they would go no more out to War. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 118. ⁋9 The man..has no other care than to collect interest, to estimate securities, and to engage for mortgages. 1787 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 303 The court of London engaged not to abandon Prussia. 1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 242 Harold further engaged to give his sister in marriage to an unnamed Norman noble. 1878 R. Browning Poets Croisic xviii Croisic, I'll engage, With Rome yields sort for sort, in age for age. b. to engage for: to be answerable for, guarantee; later, to undertake to perform, to promise. Rarely in indirect passive. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (intransitive)] testify1377 I dare layc1380 borrowc1475 to engage fora1680 a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 70 Some near Friend..engaged for his Honesty and good Behaviour. 1709 J. Swift Let. conc. Sacramental Test 9 How chearfully they Engaged for the Safety of the Nation. 1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies II. xxxviii. 68 He could not engage for their [Fakires'] Safety among his Countrymen. 1751 S. Richardson Clarissa (ed. 3) IV. lii. 322 Her wishes..were gently intimated, and as readily engaged for. 1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice I. i. 4 It is more than I engage for, I assure you. View more context for this quotation 1866 T. Carlyle Inaug. Addr. Edinb. 171 That is pretty much all I can engage for. †c. To betroth oneself (see 4b). Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > engage oneself to marry [verb (intransitive)] to plight (also pledge) (one's) troth?c1225 truthc1350 handfast1547 contract1660 engage1722 1722 D. Defoe Relig. Courtship i. i. 10 She will know how it is as to that, before she engages. d. To agree with a servant, workman, or employé for hired service. Occasionally with indirect passive. (Mostly superseded by 5a.) ΚΠ 1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §293 Till proper persons could be engaged with and sent off. 1825 T. Cosnett Footman's Direct. 217 Many ladies and gentlemen will not engage with any one who does not know town well. e. Of a servant, etc.: To take service (with a master or employer). Cf. 5a. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (intransitive)] > take service with an employer to take on1650 engage1766 society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > take service with an employer engage1766 1766 J. Wedgwood Let. 15 Sept. in Sel. Lett. (1965) 42 I should expect him to engage for three years at least. 1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. Before I engage with another master, I will, etc. 7. a. transitive. In wider sense: To bind by moral or legal obligation. Const. to with n. or infinitive. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal obligation > put under legal obligation [verb (transitive)] obligea1325 astringe1523 obligate1581 astrictc1600 engage1642 conclude1883 society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)] obligea1325 conclude1393 astrainc1475 astringe1523 obstringe1528 obligate1533 bind1549 debt-bind1563 astrictc1600 tie1608 engage1642 to put (a person) on his or her honour1656 pin1710 1642 King Charles I Gracious Answer Earles Bristol & Dorset 5 The municipall and fundamentall Lawes of that Nation ingage the Subject to..strictnesse of obedience. 1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (xviii. 1 Paraphr.) 94 I stand ingaged, most passionately to love, and bless, and magnifie thee. 1682 N. Grew Idea Philos. Hist. Plants 4 in Anat. Plants The present Design will ingage us, to an accurate and multifarious Observation of Plants. †b. To lay under obligations of gratitude; to oblige. Const. to (a person), or simply. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > treat kindly [verb (transitive)] > be gracious or show favour to > do a favour to or treat favourc1374 to do a person (a) pleasure1460 to show a person (a) pleasure1460 oblige1567 engage1626 caress1679 serve1794 1626 S. D'Ewes in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) III. 214 By which I assure my selfe further ingaged, then by your most kind acknowledgement anye way discharged. 1631 T. Heywood Fair Maid of West: 2nd Pt. iii. sig. F3 Good gentlemen Ingage me so far to you. 1648 O. Cromwell Lett. 8 Mar. (Carlyle) I am engaged to you for all your civilities. 1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. iii. 61 If thou protect him, thou wilt preserve our friend, and infinitely engage us. †c. In passive: To be ‘committed’ to (certain opinions). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion, opine [verb (intransitive)] > be committed to assistc1600 engagea1676 to have (a person) pegged1920 a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) iv. vi. 339 They are destitute of any satisfactory Evidence, to any person that is not strangely and impotently engaged to them. 8. a. To urge, exhort, persuade, induce; said both of persons and of motives, etc. In 18th cent. often approaching the sense of French engager ‘to invite’. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > exhort movea1382 enhort1382 exhortc1475 cohort1481 adhorta1500 urge1565 engage1647 1647 J. Sprigge Anglia Rediviva iv. vii. 274 That all may be rather convinced and engaged by argument and truth. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 963 O..example high! Ingaging me to emulate. View more context for this quotation 1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 16 Jan. (1965) I. 294 Her Highnesse..when I left her engag'd me to write to her. 1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. I. viii. 166 He engaged the grand-master of the templars by large presents..to put him in possession of Gisors. 1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §297 The high wages..did not engage them to secure themselves with a sufficient stock of provisions. 1839 T. Keightley Hist. Eng. (new ed.) I. 105 He engaged them to declare in his favour. 1862 T. L. Kington Frederick II II. xiii. 171 Enzio had engaged the Castle..to surrender. †b. with noun of action as object. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1742 S. Johnson in J. Swan tr. T. Sydenham Entire Wks. x The author which gave him most pleasure, and most engaged his imitation. 9. a. To gain, win over, as an adherent or helper. Cf. 5a. archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > win over procurec1325 to gain over1582 bribe1592 overwork1593 overwin1600 smooth1608 overpersuade1639 spirit1656 over-entreata1661 engage1699 to bring over1724 to draw over1734 conciliate1796 to carry over1855 1699 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ II. iii. vii. 72 Whom Paris had engag'd to his Party by a large Summ of Money. 1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind (1801) xv. 14 Engage the God of truth on our side. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 95. ⁋19 Such is the hazard of..engaging reason against its own determinations. 1781 S. Johnson Blackmore in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets V. 4 To engage poetry in the cause of Virtue. 1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. ii. 372 For the sake of the bribes with which the Duan took care to engage him. †b. To secure for oneself (help, sympathy, approval). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > acquisition > obtain or acquire [verb (transitive)] > as something desired or advantageous findOE winc1000 betellc1275 getc1330 reapa1350 craftc1350 attainc1374 achievea1393 embrace?c1475 conquer1477 consecute1536 gain1570 lucrify1570 compass1609 raise1611 lucrate1623 reconcile1665 engage1725 to pull off1860 1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. xiii. 345 Alcinous to persuade, To raise his wonder, and engage his aid. 1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. ii. 8 Those whose approbation we wish to engage. 10. To attach by pleasing qualities; to attract, charm, fascinate. Cf. 14. Also absol. Now rare; cf. engaging adj. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > attract [verb (transitive)] attract1584 trance1597 fetch1607 magnetize1658 engage1693 seduce1747 appeala1885 1693 M. Prior Ode in Examen Poeticum 436 When Beauty ceases to engage. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 106. ¶3 This Humanity and good Nature engages every Body to him. 1751 Ld. Chesterfield Let. Mar. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1693 If you engage his heart, you have a fair chance for imposing upon his understanding. 1773 S. Johnson Let. 6 Sept. (1992) II. 67 She engaged me so much that I made her a present of Cocker's Arithmetick. 1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 147 If books that could engage Their childhood, pleased them at a riper age. View more context for this quotation 1814 T. Chalmers Evid. Christian Revel. i. 22 Their heart is engaged by the amiable morality [of the gospel]. a1876 J. H. Newman Hist. Sketches I. ii. iv. 257 Cicero engages our affections by the integrity of his public conduct. III. To cause to be held fast; to involve, entangle.The physical sense 11 (adopted from French) appears to be a development from the sense ‘to put in pledge’ = 1. Senses 12 – 16 are chiefly figurative applications of 11, but often influenced by the notion of branch II. 11. In physical senses. a. To entangle, e.g. in a snare or net, in a bog. Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > by entangling or binding shrenchc897 beswapec980 taglea1340 tanglea1340 gyve1377 encumber138. engleimc1400 wrapc1412 involvec1440 fetter1526 mesh1532 crawl1548 felter1567 to tie up1570 in trick1572 ensnarl1593 entrammel1598 engage1603 casta1605 imbrier1605 weave1620 immaze1631 trammel1727 enchain1751 entangle1790 enmesh1822 in mesh1875 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)] shrenchc897 beswike971 betrapa1000 bewindOE undernimc1175 undertakec1175 bisayc1200 beguile?c1225 catchc1225 beginc1250 biwilea1275 tele?a1300 enginec1300 lime13.. umwrithea1340 engrin1340 oblige1340 belimec1350 enlacec1374 girnc1375 encumber138. gnarec1380 enwrap1382 briguea1387 snarl1387 upbroid1387 trap1390 entrikea1393 englue1393 gildera1400 aguilec1400 betraisec1400 embrygec1400 snare1401 lacea1425 maska1425 begluec1430 marl1440 supprise?c1450 to prey ona1500 attrap1524 circumvene1526 entangle1526 tangle1526 entrap1531 mesh1532 embrake1542 crawl1548 illaqueate1548 intricate1548 inveigle1551 circumvent1553 felter1567 besnare1571 in trick1572 ensnare1576 overcatch1577 underfong1579 salt1580 entoil1581 comprehend1584 windlassa1586 folda1592 solicit1592 toil1592 bait1600 beset1600 engage1603 benet1604 imbrier1605 ambush1611 inknot1611 enmesha1616 trammela1616 fool1620 pinion1621 aucupate1630 fang1637 surprise1642 underreacha1652 trepan1656 ensnarl1658 stalk1659 irretiate1660 coil1748 nail1766 net1803 to rope in1840 mousetrap1870 spider1891 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 276 The barble fishes, if one of them chance to be engaged. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iii. 69 O limed soule, that struggling to be free, Art more ingaged . View more context for this quotation 1652 J. Wadsworth tr. P. de Sandoval Civil Wars Spain 362 The Foot stuck fast, engaged in the mire to the very knees. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 114 Thou may'st..beamy Stags in Toyls engage . View more context for this quotation figurative.1631 T. Heywood Londons Ius Honorarium in Wks. (1874) IV. 271 Upon them stand Two dangerous rocks, your safety to ingage.1638 J. Ford Fancies v. 64 Those ties of nature..How much they doe engage.1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iii. 346 That thou may'st know I seek not to engage Thy Vertue. View more context for this quotation b. Architecture. To fasten, attach. In passive of a pillar: To be let into (a wall), so as to be partly enclosed. See engaged adj. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > attach or affix [verb (transitive)] fastenOE fasta1225 tachec1315 to-seta1340 catcha1350 affichea1382 to put ona1382 tacka1387 to put to1396 adjoina1400 attach?a1400 bend1399 spyndec1400 to-tachc1400 affixc1448 complexc1470 setc1480 attouch1483 found?1541 obligate1547 patch1549 alligate1563 dight1572 inyoke1595 infixa1616 wreathe1643 adlige1650 adhibit1651 oblige1656 adent1658 to bring to1681 engage1766 superfix1766 to lap on1867 accrete1870 1766 T. Smollett Trav. France & Italy 94 Twelve columns engaged in the wall. 1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 4 I did not engage them to the Brace Beams. 1849 J. Ruskin Seven Lamps Archit. iii. 73 The lowest with its pillars engaged. 1865 Athenæum No. 1947. 230/3 The columns are ‘engaged’ to the square outer piers. 1877 A. B. Edwards Thousand Miles up Nile xviii. 495 Engaged in the brickwork on either side of the principal entrance to this hall are two stone door-jambs. c. Mechanics (intransitive for reflexive) of a portion of machinery, as a cog-wheel, etc.: To interlock with, fit into a corresponding part. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > of wheel: operate [verb (intransitive)] > interlock engraina1774 engage1884 1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 28 Aug. 5/2 Engages with the cylinder and locks it for firing. 12. †a. transitive. To cause (esp. an armed force) to penetrate into the interior of a country, into a defile, mountain pass, etc. (so as render withdrawal difficult); also reflexive (obsolete). ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > assign to position > commit to difficult position engage1645 1645 O. Cromwell Lett. 9 Apr. (Carlyle) Lest we should engage our Body of Horse too far into that enclosed country. 1693 tr. J. Le Clerc Mem. Count Teckely iv. 55 The hardness of the Season, hindered him from engaging himself further into Transylvania. b. intransitive. †To enter into a country, etc. (obsolete); to involve oneself in (an intricate path, etc.). ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > arrival > arrive [verb (intransitive)] to come toOE comeOE yworthOE lend11.. lightc1225 overtakec1225 redea1275 wina1300 'rivec1300 repaira1325 applyc1384 to come ina1399 arrivec1400 attainc1400 alightc1405 to come to handc1450 unto-comec1450 apport1578 to get through1589 reach1591 to be along1597 land1679 engage1686 to get in1863 to breeze in1930 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > reaching a point or place > reach a point or place [verb (intransitive)] > arrive comeOE to come to townOE yworthOE lend11.. lightc1225 to come anovenonc1275 wina1300 'rivec1300 repaira1325 applyc1384 to come ina1399 rede?a1400 arrivec1400 attainc1400 alightc1405 to come to handc1450 unto-comec1450 apport1578 to be along1597 to drop in1609 to come ona1635 to walk in1656 land1679 engage1686 to come along1734 to get in1863 to turn up1870 to fall in1900 to lob1916 to roll up1920 to breeze in1930 to rock up1975 1686 Bp. G. Burnet Some Lett. conc. Switzerland iii. 170 We ingage into that range of Hills that carry the name of Apenins. 1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xii. 127 Mr. Bayham made an abrupt tack larboard, engaging in a labyrinth of stables. †13. a. To entangle, involve, commit, mix up (in an undertaking, quarrel, etc.). Const. in, less often into, to, with. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > have to do with or be involved in or with > involve in something lapa1340 implyc1374 engage1593 dipa1627 concern1675 involve1704 implicate1798 intrigue1899 1593 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia 182 So far had we engaged ourselves..that we listed not to complain. 1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 104 They will engage him into their owne Quarels. c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1635 (1955) II. 13 When she perceived the perill, whereto its excesse had engaged her. 1662–3 Sir C. Lyttelton in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 29 For I was deeply engaged w^th him upon a planting interest. a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 217 These Follies had such Influence on the Rabble, As to engage them in perpetual Squabble. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 254 Into this the King of Sweden, then a child, was engaged: So it was called the Triple Alliance. 1727 J. Swift Let. to very Young Lady in Misc. II. 327 To engage you, by her insinuations, in misunderstanding with your best Friends. 1740 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) VII. 325 He had engaged his city in the Achæan league. †b. intransitive for reflexive. To entangle, involve, or mix oneself up. Const. in, less often among, into. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate together or with [verb (intransitive)] mingc1275 company1387 joinc1390 meddlec1390 herd?a1400 fellowshipc1430 enfellowship1470 to step in1474 accompany?1490 yoke?a1513 to keep with ——c1515 conjoin1532 wag1550 frequent1577 encroach1579 consort1588 sort1595 commerce1596 troop1597 converse1598 to keep (also enter, come into, etc.) commons1598 to enter common1604 atone1611 to walk (also travel) in the way with1611 minglea1616 consociate1638 associate1644 corrive1647 co-unite1650 walk1650 cohere1651 engage1657 mix1667 accustom1670 to make one1711 coalite1735 commerciate1740 to have nothing to say to (also with)1780 gang?1791 companion1792 mess1795 matea1832 comrade1865 to go around1904 to throw in with1906 to get down1975 1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 567 Yet hee will needs have mee engage into such questions. a1667 A. Cowley Obscurity If we engage into a large Acquaintance..we set open our gates to the Invaders of most of our time. 1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 36. ⁋3 Much earlier than we engage among the actions and passions of mankind. 1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) II. 208 The nation again engaged in debt. 14. transitive. To attract and hold fast (attention, interest); formerly also with personal object, ‘to hold by the attention’ (Johnson). Cf. 10. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > engage the attention [verb (transitive)] exercisea1538 entertainc1540 replenish1548 rouse1583 catcha1586 amuse1586 detainc1595 attract1599 grope1602 concerna1616 take1634 stay1639 engage1642 meet1645 nudge1675 strike1697 hitcha1764 seize1772 interest1780 acuminate1806 arrest1835 grip1891 intrigue1894 grab1966 work1969 1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. x. 286 Their Auditours, generally as engaged as the Disputants, will succour their Champion with partiall relations. 1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 221 Nothing..fit to stay or ingage a Soul that is Capable of Enjoying God. 1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 503. ⁋2 Her form..engaged the eyes of the whole congregation in an instant. 1713 Ld. Shaftesbury Notion Hist. Draught Judgm. Hercules i. 7 He admires, he contemplates, but is not yet ingag'd or interested. 1773 H. Chapone Lett. Improvem. Mind I. 2 I will hope that your attention may be engaged, by..Truths of the highest importance. 1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds Pref. 12 Will impress the memory and engage the interest. 15. transitive. To provide occupation for, employ (a person, his powers, thoughts, efforts, etc.). Now nearly always passive. Formerly also, †to make use of (an instrument). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] busyeOE busyOE occupya1325 exercisec1384 employ1477 embusy1485 to hold (also keep) in play1548 exerce1584 engage1648 to tie up1887 1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. (1655) xx. 157 Beginning now to repent me of what I was now ingaged in. 1651 J. Saint-Amard tr. F. Micanzio Life Father Paul sig. N6 It would be necessary to engage a volume of praises. 1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress Author's Apol. sig. A4 Behold how he ingageth all his Wits. View more context for this quotation a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 5 Both Armies..Are in a bloody Fight engag'd. 1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xiii. 227 The Iron Pin in the Hole of the Beam kept it to its due Distance from the Center; so that neither hand was ingaged to guide it. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 31 It [is] a question which has engaged better heads and pens than mine. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 242 Mr. Dibdin is engaged in writing a list of the classical library of the Earl of Spencer. 1828 M. M. Sherwood Lady of Manor VI. xxvi. 14 I contrived to seem engaged with my guitar. 1864 J. H. Newman Apologia App. 11 Many of them are engaged on one subject. 1872 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 306 Producing excellent milling ore at a handsome profit to the men engaged in it. 16. intransitive for reflexive. ‘To embark in any business’ (Johnson); to enter upon or employ oneself in an action. Const. in, formerly on, upon, and simply. Cf. 13b. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)] found12.. to take on (also upon) one(self)a1300 assay1330 study1340 to put (also lay, set, etc.) one's hand to the ploughc1384 intendc1385 pressc1390 to put oneself in pressc1390 gatherc1400 undertakec1405 sayc1425 to fall in hand with (also to do (something))c1450 setc1485 obligea1500 essay?1515 attend1523 supprise1532 to set in foot1542 enterprise1547 address1548 to set in hand1548 prove1612 to make it one's businessa1628 engage1646 embark1647 bend1694 to take hold1868 1646 King Charles I Ch. Govt. (1849) 43 I will not engage upon new questions not necessary for my purpose. 1671 T. Gumble Life Gen. Monck In whatsoever condition he had engaged, he had found or made a great Fortune. a1687 W. Petty Polit. Anat. Ireland (1691) 47 The restored Irish.. will be careful how they engage any more upon a frivolous, impious Undertaking. 1732 G. Berkeley Serm. in Wks. (1871) III. 241 Those who at this day engage in the propagation of the gospel. 1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 12 Dec. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1463 He engaged young, and distinguished himself in business. 1825 R. Southey Tale of Paraguay iv. vi Not desiring to engage Upon the busy world's contentious stage. 1830 R. Knox tr. P. A. Béclard Elements Gen. Anat. Introd. 18 He had..engaged deeply in the study of languages. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 191 The government engaged in war with the United Provinces. 1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 364 If I had engaged in politics, I should have perished long ago. IV. With reference to combat. [Specialized uses of III.] 17. transitive. Of combatants: To interlock (weapons). Cf. French engager le fer, to cross swords. Also absol., as to engage in tierce, engage in quart. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > thrust or gore with horn putc1450 gore?1530 burt?1567 butt1590 horn1599 push1611 hipe1669 engage1694 sticka1896 society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > interlock (weapons) engage1833 1694 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in Ann. Misc. 25 The stooping Warriors..Engage their clashing Horns. 1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. iv. 138 Forming quickly his ‘Engaging Guard’ to any point required. 1881 J. M. Waite Sabre, Singlestick 101 A man thus armed engages in quarte or tierce. 18. a. transitive. To bring (troops) into conflict with the enemy. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > direct into battle to set in1487 engage1868 to bring up1885 1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. ii. 30 [They] could scarcely have reached the camp before they found themselves engaged with the enemy. 1891 N.E.D. at Engage Mod. He had taken care not to engage the whole of his troops. b. to engage a combat (rare; after French engager le combat). ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle to come togetherOE to lay togetherc1275 smitec1275 to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297 joustc1330 meetc1330 copec1350 assemblea1375 semblea1375 coup?a1400 to fight togethera1400 strikea1400 joinc1400 to join the battle1455 to commit battle?a1475 rencounter1497 to set ina1500 to pitch a battlea1513 concura1522 rescounter1543 scontre1545 journey1572 shock1575 yoke1581 to give in1610 mix1697 to engage a combat1855 to run (or ride) a-tilt1862 1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic III. v. v. 326 The mortal combat between the Inquisition and the Reformation was already fully engaged. 1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic III. vi. i. 369 The fierce combat had already been engaged in..the darkness. c. intransitive for reflexive: To enter into combat (with); also figurative. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > meet in battle meeteOE to meet withc1325 abattlec1400 recounter1455 check1535 to come up against1535 entertain1555 yoke1581 cope1594 conflict1599 clash1650 engage1697 engage1698 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 64 East and West ingage, And at their Frontiers meet. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 108 Ev'n the fearful Stag dares for his Hind engage . View more context for this quotation 1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. ii. 94 The Earl of Holland was sent with a Body of three thousand Horse..to meet it [a party of the Scots army] and Engage with it. 1765 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 2) II. iii. 152 On the outside is Fairfax himself on his chestnut horse, men engaging at a distance. 1783 G. Crabbe Village i. 13 That hoary swain, whose age Can with no cares except its own engage. 1823 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War I. 102 The mob..did not venture to engage against musketry and cannon with their knives. 1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. III. 59 One day he met a man muffled in a cloak, who engaged with him..and stabbed him. 19. transitive (= ‘to engage with’: see 18) To attack, enter into a combat with (an army, a ship); also (now rarely) figurative. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > meet in battle meeteOE to meet withc1325 abattlec1400 recounter1455 check1535 to come up against1535 entertain1555 yoke1581 cope1594 conflict1599 clash1650 engage1697 engage1698 1698 Mem. E. Ludlow I. 47 We lost..a favourable opportunity of engaging the enemy. 1698 T. Hearne Ductor Historicus I. iii. xviii. 379 Tarquin..engaged the Romans, [and] was defeated. 1709 London Gaz. No. 4547/2 He..was obliged to engage her to Leeward. 1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 32 These Monsters, Criticks! with your Darts engage. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xi. 252 We had not been inattentive to the means of engaging her to advantage. 1786 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) I. 549 I have engaged the abuses of the tobacco trade on a more general scale. 1839 T. Keightley Hist. Eng. (new ed.) I. 68 On the right bank of the river they were engaged by the Earls Edwin and Morcar. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1589v.1525
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engagen.

engagev.