engage
verb
[ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ ]
• occupy or attract (someone's interest or attention).
• "he ploughed on, trying to outline his plans and engage Sutton's attention"
Similar:
capture,
catch,
arrest,
grab,
seize,
draw,
attract,
gain,
win,
captivate,
hold,
grip,
engross,
absorb,
occupy,
• participate or become involved in.
• "organizations engage in a variety of activities"
Similar:
participate in,
take part in,
join in,
become involved in,
go in for,
partake in/of,
occupy oneself with,
throw oneself into,
share in,
play a part in,
play a role in,
be a participant in,
be associated with,
have a hand in,
be a party to,
enter into,
undertake,
embark on,
set about,
launch into,
• arrange to employ or hire (someone).
• "he was engaged as a trainee copywriter"
Similar:
employ,
hire,
recruit,
take on,
take into employment,
secure the services of,
put on the payroll,
enrol,
appoint,
commission,
enlist,
retain,
have in employment,
have on the payroll,
take on board,
• (with reference to a part of a machine or engine) move into position so as to come into operation.
• "the clutch will not engage"
Similar:
interlock,
interconnect,
mesh,
intermesh,
fit together,
join together,
join,
unite,
connect,
yoke,
mate,
couple,
• (of fencers or swordsmen) bring (weapons) together preparatory to fighting.
Origin:
late Middle English (formerly also as ingage ): from French engager, ultimately from the base of gage1. The word originally meant ‘to pawn or pledge something’, later ‘pledge oneself (to do something’), hence ‘enter into a contract’ (mid 16th century), ‘involve oneself in an activity’, ‘enter into combat’ (mid 17th century), giving rise to the notion ‘involve someone or something else’.
engagé
adjective
• (of a writer or artist) committed to a particular aim or cause.
Origin:
French, past participle of engager (see engage).
