transitive verb engaged -·gaged′, engaging -·gag′·ing

1. Obsolete to give or assign as security for a debt, etc.
2. to bind (oneself) by a promise; pledge; specif. (now only in the passive), to bind by a promise of marriage; betroth he is engaged to Ann
3. to arrange for the services of; hire; employ to engage a lawyer
4. to arrange for the use of; reserve to engage a hotel room
5. to draw into; involve to engage him in conversation
6. to attract and hold (the attention, etc.)
7. to employ or keep busy; occupy reading engages his spare time
8. to enter into conflict with (the enemy)
9. 1. to interlock with or cause to come into frictional driving contact with
   2. to mesh together engage the gears
10. Obsolete to entangle; ensnare

Etymology: ME engagen < OFr engagier: see en- & gage

intransitive verb

1. to pledge oneself; promise; undertake; agree to engage to do something
2. to occupy or involve oneself; take part; be active to engage in dramatics
3. to enter into conflict
4. to interlock; mesh