Both Uses
engage
in
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
(Edited)
- For One Night Only, On account of imperative European engagements!
Chpt 21 *engagements = bookings (promises to perform)
- Then the duke he lets the curtain down, and bows to the people, and says the great tragedy will be performed only two nights more, on accounts of pressing London engagements, where the seats is all sold already for it in Drury Lane; and then he makes them another bow, and says if he has succeeded in pleasing them and instructing them, he will be deeply obleeged if they will mention it to their friends and get them to come and see it.
Chpt 23
Definitions:
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(1)
(engage as in: engage in conversation) to interact in various ways -- such as to participate, involve, interest, or attractThe exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
- "They engaged in debate." -- participated
- "She engaged him in conversation." -- involved
- "She is an engaging conversationalist." -- interesting
- "She has an engaging smile." -- attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
- "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." -- attracts and involves
- "She engages with her constituents." -- interacts in a meaningful way
- "She engaged in foolish behavior." -- entered into
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(2)
(engage as in: engage her services) hire, reserve, book, or occupy
-
(3)
(engaged as in: engaged and then married) promised to marry
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(4)
(engage as in: engage the enemy) begin fighting
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(5)
(engage as in: engage the gears) move into position to work; or start
- (6) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)