I. im-ˈplȯi, em- transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English emploien, from Anglo-French empleier, emploier, emplier to entangle, apply, make use of, from Latin implicare to enfold, involve, from in- + plicare to fold — more at ply
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : to make use of (someone or something inactive)
employ a pen for sketching
b. : to use (as time) advantageously
a job that employ ed her skills
c.
(1) : to use or engage the services of
(2) : to provide with a job that pays wages or a salary
a company that employ s fifty
2. : to devote to or direct toward a particular activity or person
employ ed all her energies to help the poor
Synonyms: see use
• em·ploy·er noun
II. im-ˈplȯi, ˈim-ˌ, ˈem-ˌ noun
Date: 1666
1.
a. : use , purpose
b. : occupation , job
2. : the state of being employed
in the city's employ