engage
Definitions
To take part in or become involved in something
参与，从事
To attract and hold someone's interest or attention
吸引（注意力、兴趣）
To hire or employ someone
雇用，聘请
To begin fighting with an enemy
与……交战
To fit parts together so they interlock (e.g. gears)
（齿轮等）咬合，啮合
Root Breakdown
Root-deriveden- (to put into) + gage (pledge) = to put yourself under a pledge, to commit. From that one idea the senses fan out: commit your attention (engage in debate), pledge to hire (engage a lawyer), commit to battle (engage the enemy), and lock parts together (gears engage). All are versions of 'binding into.'
Root gag still carries 7 more wordsUsage Guide
Watch the prepositions and registers: 'engage in' an activity (engage in research), 'engage with' people or ideas (engage with the community), 'engage someone' = hire (formal), 'engage the enemy' = military. The bare transitive 'engage the audience' = capture attention. Different preposition, different sense.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The teacher tries to engage every student in the discussion.
- 2.
The film engaged the audience from the very first scene.
- 3.
They engaged a local lawyer to handle the case.
- 4.
Push the lever until the gears engage.