But he was pre["e]ngaged by former ties. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
preengaging — v. engage ahead of time, contract in advance; betroth in advance, oblige to marriage by prior arrangement … English contemporary dictionary
preengage — /pree en gayj /, v.t., v.i., preengaged, preengaging. 1. to engage beforehand. 2. to put under obligation, esp. to marry, by a prior engagement. 3. to win the favor or attention of beforehand: Other matters preengaged him. Also, pre engage. [1640 … Universalium
preengage — |prē+ verb Etymology: pre + engage transitive verb : to engage beforehand: as a. : to bind by a prior obligation or pledge especially of marriage b. : to win over or obtain beforehand : prepossess … Useful english dictionary
preengagement — “+ noun Etymology: partly from pre + engagement, partly from preengage + ment 1. : the act of preengaging or the state of being preengaged : a prior engagement or obligation; especially : a previous engagement to marry 2. : preoccupation … Useful english dictionary
