having ones attention or mind or energy engaged; she keeps herself fully occupied with volunteer activities; deeply engaged in conversation
[ Syn: occupied ]
involved in military hostilities; the desperately engaged ships continued the fight'
reserved in advance
(of facilities such as telephones or lavatories) unavailable for use by anyone else or indicating unavailability; (`engaged is a British term for a busy telephone line); her line is busy; receptionists telephones are always engaged; the lavatory is in use; kept getting a busy signal
(used of toothed parts or gears) interlocked and interacting; the gears are engaged; meshed gears; intermeshed twin rotors
[ Syn: meshed , intermeshed ]
having services contracted for; the carpenter engaged (or employed) for the job is sick'
built against or attached to a wall; engaged columns'