Third person singular of engage; to participate in or become involved with something actively. Can also mean to hire someone or to interlock mechanically.
From Old French 'engager' meaning 'to pledge, commit,' from 'en-' (in) plus 'gage' (pledge). The mechanical sense (gears engaging) developed in the 18th century from the idea of parts 'pledging' or committing to work together.
The word beautifully captures how involvement requires commitment - whether engaging someone in conversation, engaging gears in a machine, or engaging an enemy in battle. All meanings share this core idea of active, committed participation rather than passive observation.
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