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engage

en·gage [ in gáyj, en gáyj ] (past and past participle en·gaged, present participle en·gag·ing, 3rd person present singular en·gag·es)


verb 
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb hire somebody: to hire somebody for a job or to do some work

2. transitive verb require use of something: to require the use or devotion of something
Her writing engages most of her time.

3. transitive and intransitive verb involve somebody, or become involved: to involve somebody in an activity, or become involved or take part in an activity
engaged her in conversation for an hour

4. transitive verb attract somebody: to hold the attention of, or win the affection of somebody
He was engaged by the child's open manner.

5. transitive and intransitive verb military fight somebody: to fight or begin a battle with an enemy

6. transitive verb reserve something: to reserve or rent something for personal use ( dated )

7. transitive and intransitive verb mechanical engineering interlock: to become interlocked, or bring something together and cause something to interlock
engaged the gears

[Early 16th century. < French engager< gage "pledge"]

en·gag·er noun
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