engross

en·gross

transitive verb \in-ˈgrōs, en-\

Definition of ENGROSS

1

a : to copy or write in a large hand

b : to prepare the usually final handwritten or printed text of (an official document)

2

[Middle English, from Anglo-French engrosser, from en gros wholesale, in quantity]

a : to purchase large quantities of (as for speculation)

b archaic : amass, collect

c : to take or engage the whole attention of : occupy completely <ideas that have engrossed the minds of scholars for generations>

— en·gross·er noun

Examples of ENGROSS

1. <a mystery story that will engross readers all the way to the surprise ending>

Origin of ENGROSS

Middle English, from Anglo-French engrosser to put (a legal document) in final form, from Medieval Latin ingrossare, from in grossam (put) into final form, literally, (written) in large (letter)

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ENGROSS

Synonyms

absorb, bemuse, busy, catch up, engage, enthrall (or enthral), enwrap, fascinate, grip, immerse, interest, intrigue, involve, occupy

Related Words

allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, obsess; hypnotize, mesmerize; distract, preoccupy; hog, monopolize

Near Antonyms

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

Rhymes with ENGROSS

arkose, Carlos, cosmos, crustose, cymose, dextrose, erose, fructose, globose, glucose, jocose, lactose, maltose, mannose, morose, mythos, nodose, pappose, pentose, pilose, plumose, ramose, rhamnose, ribose, rugose, schistose, setose, spinose, strigose, sucrose, Sukkoth, triose, up close, vadose, verbose, viscose