ENGAGE

verb (~d; engaging) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ~r, from en- + gage pledge, gage Date: 15th century transitive verb to offer (as one's word) as security for a debt or cause, 2. to entangle or entrap in or as if in a snare or bog, to attract and hold by influence or power, to interlock with ; mesh , to bind (as oneself) to do something, 4. to provide occupation for ; involve , to arrange to obtain the use or services of ; hire , 5. to hold the attention of ; engross , to induce to participate , 6. to enter into contest or battle with , to bring together or interlock (weapons), to deal with especially at length, intransitive verb 1. to pledge oneself ; promise , guarantee , 2. to begin and carry on an enterprise or activity , to take part ; participate , to give attention to something ; deal , to enter into conflict or battle, to come together and interlock (as of machinery parts) ; be or become in gear