En*gage"ment (?), n. [Cf. F. engagement.]
1.
The act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest.
2.
The state of being engaged, pledged or occupied; specif., a pledge to take some one as husband or wife.
3.
That which engages; engrossing occupation; employment of the attention; obligation by pledge, promise, or contract; an enterprise embarked in; as, his engagements prevented his acceptance of any office.
Religion, which is the chief engagement of our league.
Milton.
4. Mil.
An action; a fight; a battle.
In hot engagement with the Moors.
Dryden.
5. Mach.
The state of being in gear; as, one part of a clutch is brought into engagement with the other part.
Syn. -- Vocation; business; employment; occupation; promise; stipulation; betrothal; word; battle; combat; fight; contest; conflict. See Battle.
© Webster 1913.