engage
UK[ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ]US[ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ]
v
To occupy or attract someone's interest or attention.
v
To take part in an activity.
v
To arrange to employ or hire someone.
v
To begin fighting with an enemy.
Morpheme Breakdown
en
gage
en
to put into
gage
pledge
Etymology
The word 'engage' entered English from Old French 'engagier,' which meant "to pledge, to put something as a guarantee." The French term was built from the prefix 'en-' (meaning "in") and the noun 'gage' (meaning "a pledge"). The core Germanic root of 'gage' relates to ideas of security and risk, as seen in the related word 'wage.' Over time, the English meaning expanded from the literal act of pledging oneself (as in a contract or marriage) to the more abstract senses of committing one's attention, effort, or participation to an activity or cause. Thus, the modern meanings of occupying interest, participating, or employing someone all stem from this original concept of making a binding commitment.
Analysis
Structure: en (to put into) + gage (pledge)
'en-' is a prefix of Latin origin via French, meaning "to put into, to cause to be." '-gage' is from Old French, meaning "a pledge or promise," itself from Frankish or other Germanic roots.
Examples
The teacher used a game to engage the students at the start of the lesson.
He decided to engage in volunteer work during his retirement.
The company plans to engage a new consultant for the project.