en|gage

en|gage «ehn GAYJ», verb, -gaged, -gag|ing.

–v.t.

1. to keep busy; occupy: »

Work engages much of my time. He engaged me in conversation.

2. to hire; employ; take for use or work; reserve (as seats, rooms, or a cab): »

We engaged two rooms at the hotel. She engaged a carpenter to repair the porch.

3. to promise or pledge to marry; betroth: »

He was engaged to my sister. My sister and he are engaged.

4. to catch and hold; attract: »

Bright colors engage a baby's attention. This humanity and good nature engages everybody to him (Joseph Addison).

5. to bind by a promise or contract; promise; commit; pledge: »

He engaged himself as an apprentice to a printer.

6. to fit into; lock together: »

The teeth of geared wheels engage each other.

7. to start a battle against; attack: »

Our soldiers engaged the enemy.

8. Obsolete. to pawn; mortgage.

–v.i.

1. to keep oneself busy; be occupied; be active; take part: »

The two friends engaged in conversation. He engages in politics.

2. to bind oneself; promise; pledge: »

I will engage to be there on time.

3. to fit; lock together; mesh: »

The teeth of one gear engage with the teeth of the other.

4. to join battle with an enemy: »

The mob…did not venture to engage against musketry and cannon with their knives (Robert Southey).

╂[< Old French engagier < en gage under pledge]