engage-v; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: (cause to) participate in an activity, occupy, absorb

Commentary: Syntax Includes: NP1[agent[animate]] ENGAGE [predicate] NP1[agent[animate]] ENGAGE NP2[patient] NP1[topic] ENGAGE NP2 NP1[stimulus] ENGAGE NP

Examples:
We quickly engaged in a heated discussion.
The noble knight engaged in a battle against the evil dragon.
The children engaged in a tug-of-war.
Can you engage every child in the game?
She engaged the shy newcomer in the conversation.
We have engaged the enemy.
The armies engaged at dawn.
Enemy planes engaged the troops as they advanced into the mountains.
Her interest in buterflies engaged her hours at a time.
His smile engages everyone he meets.
Studying engages most of my time.
This book did not engage my interest.

Mappings:
VerbNet: amuse-31.1
FrameNet: Intentionally_act,Experiencer_obj
PropBank: engage.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2, 7

Sense Number 2: employ, hire, reserve, obtain use or the service of

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent] ENGAGE NP2

Examples:
I engaged a carpenter for the remodeling task.
The accused engaged a lawyer for the trial.
An accountant was engaged to examine the ledger.
Let's engage a tour guide when we visit Rome.
We engaged a room for our conference.
I engaged a car and a driver for your trip.

Mappings:
VerbNet: hire-13.5.3,involve-107
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3, 4, 8, 9

Sense Number 3: pledge or promise

Commentary:
NOTE: Especially in marriage.

Examples:
We are engaged to be married this November.

Mappings:
VerbNet: amalgamate-22.2-3-2
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 4: operate, mesh or get caught as in gears

Commentary:
NOTE: May be either transitive or intransitive.

Examples:
The gears engaged, and I was moving!
Engage the clutch gradually.
When the large cog wheel engages, the mill stone will start to go round.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6, 10