All 13 Uses of
engage
in
Jane Eyre
- It was the hour of study; they were engaged in conning over their to-morrow's task, and the hum I had heard was the combined result of their whispered repetitions.
p. 53.0engaged = involved
- The stronger among the girls ran about and engaged in active games, but sundry pale and thin ones herded together for shelter and warmth in the verandah; and amongst these, as the dense mist penetrated to their shivering frames, I heard frequently the sound of a hollow cough.
p. 58.4engaged = were involved
- "Rochester would be glad if you and your pupil would take tea with him in the drawing-room this evening," said she: "he has been so much engaged all day that he could not ask to see you before."
p. 140.6engaged = occupied (busy)
- In the mornings he seemed much engaged with business, and, in the afternoon, gentlemen from Millcote or the neighbourhood called, and sometimes stayed to dine with him.
p. 151.1
- It was well I secured this forage, or both she, I, and Sophie, to whom I conveyed a share of our repast, would have run a chance of getting no dinner at all: every one downstairs was too much engaged to think of us.
p. 195.8engaged = involved
- I answered — "I did not wish to disturb you, as you seemed engaged, sir."
p. 209.6engaged = occupied (involved)
- In the midst of the tumult, and while my eyes and ears were fully engaged in the scene before me, I heard a hem close at my elbow: I turned, and saw Sam.
p. 226.5engaged = involved
- I trode on an edging of turf that the crackle of the pebbly gravel might not betray me: he was standing among the beds at a yard or two distant from where I had to pass; the moth apparently engaged him.
p. 287.9engaged = interested
- My uncle engaged afterwards in more prosperous undertakings: it appears he realised a fortune of twenty thousand pounds.
p. 411.5 *engaged = was involved
- She generally came at the hour when Mr. Rivers was engaged in giving his daily catechising lesson.
p. 424.1engaged = occupied (busy)
- Thus engaged, he appeared, sitting in his own recess, quiet and absorbed enough; but that blue eye of his had a habit of leaving the outlandish-looking grammar, and wandering over, and sometimes fixing upon us, his fellow-students, with a curious intensity of observation: if caught, it would be instantly withdrawn; yet ever and anon, it returned searchingly to our table.
p. 457.7engaged = occupiededitor's notes: Anon is a word that is highly unlikely to be used today. It means, soon.
- Your own fortune will make you independent of the Society's aid; and thus you may still be spared the dishonour of breaking your promise and deserting the band you engaged to join.
p. 476.9engaged = committed
- Now I never had, as the reader knows, either given any formal promise or entered into any engagement; and this language was all much too hard and much too despotic for the occasion.
p. 476.9 *engagement = commitment
Definitions:
-
(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
-
(2)
(engage as in: engage her services) hire, reserve, book, or occupy
-
(3)
(engaged as in: engaged and then married) promised to marry
-
(4)
(engage as in: engage the enemy) begin fighting
-
(5)
(engage as in: engage the gears) move into position to work; or start