/ ɪnˈgeɪdʒ; NAmE / verb
1.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to succeed in attracting and keeping sb's attention and interest :
It is a movie that engages both the mind and the eye.
2.
engage sb (as sth) ( formal ) to employ sb to do a particular job :
[ vn ]
He is currently engaged as a consultant.
[also vn to inf ]
3.
[ v ] engage (with sth/sb) to become involved with and try to understand sth/sb :
She has the ability to engage with young minds.
4.
( formal ) to begin fighting with sb :
[ vn ]
to engage the enemy
[also v ]
5.
engage (with sth) when a part of a machine engages , or when you engage it, it fits together with another part of the machine and the machine begins to work :
[ v ]
One cogwheel engages with the next.
The cogwheels are not engaging.
[ vn ]
Engage the clutch before selecting a gear.
OPP disengage
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PHRASAL VERBS
- engage in sth | engage sb in sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (formerly also as ingage ): from French engager , ultimately from the base of gage , a pledge or deposit offered as a guarantee . The word originally meant to pawn or pledge something , later pledge oneself (to do something) , hence enter into a contract (mid 16th cent.), involve oneself in an activity , enter into combat (mid 17th cent.), giving rise to the notion involve someone or something else .