En*gage" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Engaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Engaging (?).] [F. engager; pref. en- (L. in) + gage pledge, pawn. See Gage.]
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."
Shak.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913. | 
