en·gage·ment / enˈgājmənt/ • n. 1. a formal agreement to get married. ∎  the duration of such an agreement: a good long engagement to give you time to be sure.2. an arrangement to do something or go somewhere at a fixed time: a dinner engagement. ∎  a period of paid employment.3. the action of engaging or being engaged: Britain's continued engagement in open trading.4. a fight or battle between armed forces.

Engagement, 1647. Charles I gave himself up to the Scots in 1646 and began negotiations. In December 1647, while at Carisbrooke castle, he signed a secret treaty or engagement, buried in a lead casket, whereby presbyterianism should be established in Scotland, and in England for three years. In exchange, the Scots promised an army to enforce these terms. The result was the second civil war in 1648. But the Scottish army under Hamilton which invaded England was routed by Cromwell at Preston in August 1648.

J. A. Cannon

ENGAGEMENT

A binding, pledging, or coming together. A mutual pact, contract, or agreement.

An engagement to marry is a bilateral contract between two people whereby they mutually promise to marry one another. Formerly, a breach of the engagement to marry was a cause of action in several jurisdictions, but this is not true today.

An engagement letter is a clear delineation of an agreement that covers a particular project or employment. An attorney can require a client to sign such a letter to indicate that the person has been employed to perform specifically designated tasks.

engagement (in-gayj-mĕnt) n. (in obstetrics) the stage of pregnancy that occurs when the presenting part of the fetus has descended into the mother's pelvis. Engagement of the fetal head occurs when the widest part has passed through the pelvic inlet.