■ verb
1》 attract or involve (someone's interest or attention).
2》 employ or hire.
↘enter into a contract to do.
3》 ( ~ in/with ) participate or become involved in.
4》 (with reference to a part of a machine or engine) move into position so as to come into operation.
5》 enter into combat with.
↘(of fencers or swordsmen) bring (weapons) together preparatory to fighting.
Origin
ME (orig. in the sense 'pawn or pledge something'): from Fr. ~r , ult. from the base of gage 1 .