engross
en·gross (en grōs′, in-)
transitive verb
- to write out in large letters of a kind once used for legal documents
- to make a final fair copy of (esp. a legislative bill)
- to express formally or in legal form
- to take the entire attention of; occupy wholly; absorb engrossed in a book
- Archaic
- to buy all of so as to monopolize
- to take or require all of
Etymology: ME engrossen < OFr engrosser, to acquire in large quantity (< en-, in + gros, large < L grossus) & engroissier, to become thick < en- + groisse, thickness < VL *grossia < L grossus: see gross
Related Forms:
- engrosser en·gross′er noun
- engrossment en·gross′·ment noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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