en·gage /ɪnˈgeʤ, ɛn-/
(vt.)使從事于,使忙著;使訂婚;僱用,聘;接合,齧合(vi.)從事于,參加
engage
囓合
En·gage v. t. [imp. & p. p. Engaged p. pr. & vb. n. Engaging ]
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. “I to thee engaged a prince's word.”
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. To gain over; to win and attach; to attract and hold; to draw.
Good nature engages everybody to him. --Addison.
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. To enter into contest with; to encounter; to bring to conflict.
A favorable opportunity of engaging the enemy. --Ludlow.
6. Mach. 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.
En·gage, v. i.
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. 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. To enter into conflict; to join battle; as, the armies engaged in a general battle.
4. Mach. To be in gear, as two cogwheels working together.
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engage
v 1: carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in;
"She pursued many activities"; "They engaged in a
discussion" [syn: prosecute, pursue]
2: engage or engross wholly; "Her interest in butterflies
absorbs her completely" [syn: absorb, engross, occupy]
3: engage or hire for work; "They hired two new secretaries in
the department"; "How many people has she employed?" [syn:
hire, employ] [ant: fire]
4: ask to represent; of legal counsel; "I'm retaining a lawyer"
5: give to in marriage [syn: betroth, affiance, plight]
6: get caught; "make sure the gear is engaged" [ant: disengage]
7: as of wars, battles, or campaigns; "Napoleon and Hitler
waged war against all of Europe" [syn: wage]
8: as of aid, help, services, or support [syn: enlist]
9: engage for service under a term of contract; "We took an
apartment on a quiet street"; "Let's rent a car"; "Shall
we take a guide in Rome?" [syn: lease, rent, hire, charter,
take]
10: keep engaged; "engaged the gears" [syn: mesh, lock, operate]
[ant: disengage]