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engaged; engaging
Definition of engage
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to offer (something, such as one's life or word) as backing to a cause or aim : to expose to risk for the attainment or support of some end
engaged his all in the king's cause
2a obsolete : to entangle or entrap in or as if in a snare or bog
b : to attract and hold by influence or power
3 : to bind (someone, such as oneself) to do something especially : to bind by a pledge to marry
4a : to provide occupation for : involve engage him in a new project
b : to arrange to obtain the use or services of : hire engage a lawyer
5a : to hold the attention of : engross her work engages her completely
b : to induce to participate
engaged the shy boy in conversation
6a : to enter into contest or battle with
engage the enemy
b : to bring together or interlock (weapons)
7 : to deal with especially at length
1a : to pledge oneself : promise
b : to make a guarantee
he engages for the honesty of his brother
2a : to begin and carry on an enterprise or activity
—used with inengaged in trade for many years
b : to do or take part in something
—used with inengage in healthy activitiesengage in bad conduct
c : to give attention to something : deal failing to engage with the problem
3 : to enter into conflict or battle
4 : to come together and interlock
the gears engaged
engagé
adjectiveDefinition of engagé (Entry 2 of 2)
: committed to or supportive of a cause
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Time Traveler for engage
The first known use of engage was in the 15th century
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