Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ENGAGE, v. Sc. usages. Also engaige, engauge.

1. Used absol. To pray (Bnff.², Abd.⁹ 1943; Ags.¹⁹ 1950).Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xiii.:
It was fat they ca' a prayer meetin'; an' aifter he hed roar't on for a file 'imsel, he cries oot, “Some broder 'll engaige noo,” fan up startit the Souter an' gya them a screed o't bye ordinar'.

†2. In ppl.adj. engaging, that makes an engagement or gives a pledge (see quot.).Abd. 1875 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 223:
“The engaging parent” . . . would have to [be examined in] . . . the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, and the significance of the rite of baptism in particular.