[ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- occupy or attract (someone's interest or attention)
(e.g: he ploughed on, trying to outline his plans and engage Sutton's attention)

- participate or become involved in
(e.g: organizations engage in a variety of activities)

- arrange to employ or hire (someone)
(e.g: he was engaged as a trainee copywriter)

- (with reference to a part of a machine or engine) move into position so as to come into operation
(e.g: the clutch will not engage)

- (of fencers or swordsmen) bring (weapons) together preparatory to fighting


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English (formerly also as ingage): from French engager, ultimately from the base of gage. 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’

[ˌɒ̃ɡaˈʒeɪ], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- (of a writer or artist) committed to a particular aim or cause
(e.g: he was determined that his writing and thinking should be engagé)


Phrases:

Origin:
French, past participle of engager (see engage)