em|ploy

em|ploy «ehm PLOY», verb, noun.

–v.t.

1. to give work and pay to; use the services of: »

That big factory employs many workers. The hotel employs two cooks.

2. to use: »

You employ a knife, fork, and spoon in eating. She employs her time wisely.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under use. (Cf. ↑use)

3. to keep busy; occupy: »

She employed herself in reading. He employed himself in growing roses after he retired.

–n.

1. the condition of being employed; service for pay; employment: »

There are many workers in the employ of that big factory.

2. Archaic. use: »

to make full employ of a tool.

3. Archaic or Poetic. work or occupation: »

to find a good employ.

╂[< Middle French employer, Old French empleier < Latin implicāre < in- in + plicāre fold. See etym. of doublets implicate (Cf. ↑implicate), imply. (Cf. ↑imply)]

Synonym Study transitive verb. 1 Employ, hire mean to give work and pay to someone. Employ suggests a certain regularity and dignity in the services: »

The steel mill employs most of the men in town.

Hire, the more homely word, suggests temporary employment: »

She hired a man to mow the lawn.