engage (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ
)
Definitions
verb (mainly tr)
- to secure the services of; employ
- to secure for use; reserve ⇒
engage a room
- to involve (a person or his attention) intensely; engross; occupy
- to attract (the affection) of (a person) ⇒
her innocence engaged him
- to draw (somebody) into conversation
- (intr) to take part; participate ⇒
he engages in many sports
- to promise (to do something)
- (also intr) military to begin an action with (an enemy)
- to bring (a mechanism) into operation ⇒
he engaged the clutch
- (also intr) to undergo or cause to undergo interlocking, as of the components of a driving mechanism, such as a gear train
- machinery to locate (a locking device) in its operative position or to advance (a tool) into a workpiece to commence cutting
Alternative Forms
enˈgager nounWord Origin
C15: from Old French engagier, from en-C15: from Old French from 1 + a pledge, see + gage a pledge, see gageC15: from Old French from + a pledge, see 1Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
participate in,
join in,
take part in,
undertake,
practise,
embark on,
enter into,
become involved in
set about,
partake of,
=
captivate,
win,
draw,
catch,
arrest,
fix,
attract,
capture,
charm,
attach,
fascinate,
enchant,
allure,
enamour,
engagé French (ɑ̃ɡaʒe)
Definitions
adjective
- (of a writer or artist, esp a man) morally or politically committed to some ideology
Usage examples
Feeling a need for female solidarity, she tried to engage Marie Rose in conversation.
, INSTANCES OF THE NUMBER 3 (2002)He says the data contradict the idea that Africans are unusually promiscuous, or engage more readily than anyone else in unsafe sex.
New Scientist (2003)They also threatened a withdrawal of services if the GAA fails to engage the GPA agenda.
Irish Times (2002)It all ignored a key principle of just war; the battle in which you engage must be capable of being won.
Glasgow Herald (2002)For some time previously Ghiringhelli had eagerly been seeking to engage him.
, A TALE OF FOUR HOUSES: Opera at Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Met since 1945 (2003)