Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Engage \En*gage"\, v. i.
   1. To promise or pledge one's self; to enter into an
      obligation; to become bound; to warrant.

            How proper the remedy for the malady, I engage not.
                                                  --Fuller.

   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.

   3. To enter into conflict; to join battle; as, the armies
      engaged in a general battle.

   4. (Mach.) To be in gear, as two cogwheels working together.

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.

   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.

   3. To gain over; to win and attach; to attract and hold; to
      draw.

            Good nature engages everybody to him. --Addison.

   4. To employ the attention and efforts of; to occupy; to
      engross; to draw on.

            Thus shall mankind his guardian care engage. --Pope.

            Taking upon himself the difficult task of engaging
            him in conversation.                  --Hawthorne.

   5. To enter into contest with; to encounter; to bring to
      conflict.

            A favorable opportunity of engaging the enemy.
                                                  --Ludlow.

   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.

Source : WordNet®

engage
     v 1: carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in;
          "She pursued many activities"; "They engaged in a
          discussion" [syn: {prosecute}, {pursue}]
     2: engage or engross wholly; "Her interest in butterflies
        absorbs her completely" [syn: {absorb}, {engross}, {occupy}]
     3: engage or hire for work; "They hired two new secretaries in
        the department"; "How many people has she employed?" [syn:
         {hire}, {employ}] [ant: {fire}]
     4: ask to represent; of legal counsel; "I'm retaining a lawyer"
     5: give to in marriage [syn: {betroth}, {affiance}, {plight}]
     6: get caught; "make sure the gear is engaged" [ant: {disengage}]
     7: as of wars, battles, or campaigns; "Napoleon and Hitler
        waged war against all of Europe" [syn: {wage}]
     8: as of aid, help, services, or support [syn: {enlist}]
     9: engage for service under a term of contract; "We took an
        apartment on a quiet street"; "Let's rent a car"; "Shall
        we take a guide in Rome?" [syn: {lease}, {rent}, {hire}, {charter},
         {take}]
     10: keep engaged; "engaged the gears" [syn: {mesh}, {lock}, {operate}]
         [ant: {disengage}]