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.
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.
3. To gain over; to win and attach; to
attract and hold; to draw.
Good nature engages everybody to
him.
Addison.
4. To employ the attention and efforts of; to
occupy; to engross; to draw on.
Thus shall mankind his guardian care
engage.
Pope.
Taking upon himself the difficult task of
engaging him in conversation.
Hawthorne.
5. To enter into contest with; to encounter;
to bring to conflict.
A favorable opportunity of engaging the
enemy.
Ludlow.
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.
En*gage", v. i. 1.
To promise or pledge one's self; to enter into an obligation; to
become bound; to warrant.
How proper the remedy for the malady, I engage
not.
Fuller.
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.
3. To enter into conflict; to join battle;
as, the armies engaged in a general battle.
4. (Mach.) To be in gear, as two
cogwheels working together.
