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