ə̇nˈgrōs, en- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English engrossen, from Anglo-French engrosser, probably from Medieval Latin ingrossare, from Latin in + Medieval Latin grossa engrossment (of a document), from Latin, feminine of grossus thick; in sense 2, from Middle English engrosen, engrossen, from Middle French en gros in large quantities, at wholesale, from Old French, from en in (from Latin in ) + gros whole quantity, from gros thick, plentiful, from Latin grossus; in sense 3, from Middle English engrosen, alteration of ingrossen, from Medieval Latin ingrossare, from Latin in + grossus thick — more at gross
1.
a. : to copy or write in a large hand : write a fair copy of in a hand formerly used in formal documents, derived from the court hand, and nearly illegible to all but experts or now usually in a distinct and legible hand
b. obsolete : to inscribe the name of : include in a list : name
c. : to prepare the text of (a bill, resolution, treaty, or other official document) by whatever process (as handwriting or printing) may be officially permitted or prescribed ; specifically : to prepare the text of (a bill) for the third reading in a legislature — distinguished from enroll
2.
a. : to purchase either the whole or large quantities of (commodities) so as to control the market, enhance the price, and make a monopoly profit
b. : to obtain control of (a market) in this way — compare forestall , regrate
c. obsolete : amass , collect
d. : to take or assume to the exclusion of others : concentrate in one's possession : take the whole of
a few families engrossed the power of the state
the new customer engrossed his attention
3.
a. obsolete : to make dense, thick, or large : increase in bulk or quantity : thicken
b. archaic : to render gross in body or mind
Synonyms: see monopolize