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Entry 10 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Engage

/ĕn-gāj'/ · En·gage · IPA /ɪnˈɡeɪd͡ʒ/
01 v. t. To put under pledge; to pledge; to place under obligations to do or forbear doing something, as by a pledge, oath, or promise; to bind by c…
imp. & p. p. Engaged; p. pr. & vb. n. Engaging
  1. 1.
    To put under pledge; to pledge; to place under obligations to do or forbear doing something, as by a pledge, oath, or promise; to bind by contract or promise.
  2. 2.
    To gain for service; to bring in as associate or aid; to enlist; as, to engage friends to aid in a cause; to engage men for service.
  3. 3.
    To gain over; to win and attach; to attract and hold; to draw.
    “Good nature engages everybody to him.” — Addison.
  4. 4.
    To employ the attention and efforts of; to occupy; to engross; to draw on.
    “Thus shall mankind his guardian care engage.” — Pope.
    “Taking upon himself the difficult task of engaging him in conversation.” — Hawthorne.
  5. 5.
    To enter into contest with; to encounter; to bring to conflict.
    “A favorable opportunity of engaging the enemy.” — Ludlow.
  6. 6.
    To come into gear with; as, the teeth of one cogwheel engage those of another, or one part of a clutch engages the other part.(Mach.)
02 v. i. To promise or pledge one's self; to enter into an obligation; to become bound; to warrant.
  1. 1.
    To promise or pledge one's self; to enter into an obligation; to become bound; to warrant.
    “How proper the remedy for the malady, I engage not.” — Fuller.
  2. 2.
    To embark in a business; to take a part; to employ or involve one's self; to devote attention and effort; to enlist; as, to engage in controversy.
  3. 3.
    To enter into conflict; to join battle; as, the armies engaged in a general battle.
  4. 4.
    To be in gear, as two cogwheels working together.(Mach.)