En*gage"ment (?), n.
[Cf. F. engagement.]
1. The act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest.
2. The state of being engaged, pledged or occupied; specif., a pledge to take some one
as husband or wife.
3. That which engages; engrossing occupation; employment
of the attention; obligation
by pledge, promise, or contract; an enterprise embarked in; as, his engagements prevented
his acceptance of any office.
Religion, which is the chief
engagement of our league.
Milton. 4. (Mil.) An action; a fight; a battle.
In hot engagement with the Moors.
Dryden.
5. (Mach.) The state of being in gear; as, one
part of a clutch is brought into engagement with the other part.
Syn. -- Vocation; business; employment; occupation; promise; stipulation; betrothal; word; battle; combat; fight; contest; conflict. See Battle.
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