v. t. [ Pref. en- + gaol: cf. OF. engaoler, engeoler. See Gaol, and cf. Enjail. ] To put in jail; to imprison. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To promise or pledge one's self; to enter into an obligation; to become bound; to warrant. [ 1913 Webster ]

How proper the remedy for the malady, I engage not. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To embark in a business; to take a part; to employ or involve one's self; to devote attention and effort; to enlist; as, to engage in controversy. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To enter into conflict; to join battle; as, the armies engaged in a general battle. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mach.) To be in gear, as two cogwheels working together. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Engaged p. pr. & vb. n. Engaging ] [ F. engager; pref. en- (L. in) + gage pledge, pawn. See Gage. ] 1. To put under pledge; to pledge; to place under obligations to do or forbear doing something, as by a pledge, oath, or promise; to bind by contract or promise. “I to thee engaged a prince's word.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To gain for service; to bring in as associate or aid; to enlist; as, to engage friends to aid in a cause; to engage men for service. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To gain over; to win and attach; to attract and hold; to draw. [ 1913 Webster ]

Good nature engages everybody to him. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To employ the attention and efforts of; to occupy; to engross; to draw on. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus shall mankind his guardian care engage. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Taking upon himself the difficult task of engaging him in conversation. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To enter into contest with; to encounter; to bring to conflict. [ 1913 Webster ]

A favorable opportunity of engaging the enemy. Ludlow. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Mach.) To come into gear with; as, the teeth of one cogwheel engage those of another, or one part of a clutch engages the other part. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Occupied; employed; busy. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Pledged; promised; especially, having the affections pledged; promised in marriage; affianced; betrothed. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Greatly interested; of awakened zeal; earnest. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Involved; esp., involved in a hostile encounter; as, the engaged ships continued the fight. [ 1913 Webster ]

Engaged column. (Arch.) Same as Attached column. See under Attach, v. t. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With attachment; with interest; earnestly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being deeply interested; earnestness; zeal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. engagement. ] 1. The act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being engaged, pledged or occupied; specif., a pledge to take some one as husband or wife. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which engages; engrossing occupation; employment of the attention; obligation by pledge, promise, or contract; an enterprise embarked in; as, his engagements prevented his acceptance of any office. [ 1913 Webster ]

Religion, which is the chief engagement of our league. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mil.) An action; a fight; a battle. [ 1913 Webster ]

In hot engagement with the Moors. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Mach.) The state of being in gear; as, one part of a clutch is brought into engagement with the other part.

Syn. -- Vocation; business; employment; occupation; promise; stipulation; betrothal; word; battle; combat; fight; contest; conflict. See Battle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who enters into an engagement or agreement; a surety. [ 1913 Webster ]

Several sufficient citizens were engagers. Wood. [ 1913 Webster ]