Engaging

Engage En*gage", 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]