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   En·gage

   /inˈɡāj/

   

   verb

   • 1. occupy, attract, or involve (someone's interest or attention): "he plowed on, trying to outline his plans and engage Sutton's attention" Similar capturecatcharrestgrabseizedrawattractgainwincaptivateholdgripengrossabsorboccupyOpposite lose
   • ▪ cause someone to become involved in (a conversation or discussion): "they attempted to engage Anthony in conversation"
   • 2. participate or become involved in: "organizations engage in a variety of activities" Similar participate intake part injoin inbecome involved ingo in forpartake in/ofoccupy oneself withthrow oneself intoshare inplay a part inplay a role inbe a participant inbe associated withhave a hand inbe a party toenter intoundertakeembark onset aboutlaunch into
   • ▪ establish a meaningful contact or connection with: "the teams needed to engage with local communities"
   • 3. arrange to employ or hire (someone): "he was engaged as a trainee copywriter" Similar employhirerecruittake ontake into employmentsecure the services ofput on the payrollenrollappointcommissionenlistretainhave in employmenthave on the payrollinformal:take on boardOpposite dismiss
   • ▪ pledge or enter into a contract to do something: "he engaged to pay them $10,000 against a bond" Similar contractpromiseagreepledgevowcovenantcommit oneselfbind oneselfundertakeenter into an agreementreach an agreementnegotiate a deal
   • ▪ reserve (accommodations, a place, etc.) in advance: dated "he had engaged a small sailboat"
   • 4. (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 interlockinterconnectmeshintermeshfit togetherjoin togetherjoinuniteconnectyokematecoupleOpposite disengage
   • 5. (of fencers or swordsmen) bring (weapons) together preparatory to fighting.
   • ▪ enter into conflict or combat with (an enemy): "tank and infantry units engaged the enemy" Similar do battle withfight withenter into combat withwage war onwage war againsttake up arms againstattackmount an attack ontake onset uponclash withskirmish withgrapple withwrest withencountermeetinformal:scrap with

   Word 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’.

   Scrabble Points: 8

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