catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Employ \Em*ploy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Employed; p. pr. & vb.
     n. Employing.] [F. employer, fr. L. implicare to fold into,
     infold, involve, implicate, engage; in + plicare to fold. See
     Ply, and cf. Imply, Implicate.]
     1. To inclose; to infold. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To use; to have in service; to cause to be engaged in
        doing something; -- often followed by in, about, on, or
        upon, and sometimes by to; as:
        (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means, a material,
            etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ
            the pen in writing, bricks in building, words and
            phrases in speaking; to employ the mind; to employ
            one's energies.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  This is a day in which the thoughts . . . ought
                  to be employed on serious subjects. --Addison.
        (b) To occupy; as, to employ time in study.
        (c) To have or keep at work; to give employment or
            occupation to; to intrust with some duty or behest;
            as, to employ a hundred workmen; to employ an envoy.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  Jonathan . . . and Jahaziah . . . were employed
                  about this matter.                --Ezra x. 15.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  Thy vineyard must employ the sturdy steer
                  To turn the glebe.                --Dryden.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     To employ one's self, to apply or devote one's time and
        attention; to busy one's self.
  
     Syn: To use; busy; apply; exercise; occupy; engross; engage.
          See Use.
          [1913 Webster]

  Employ \Em*ploy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Employed; p. pr. & vb.
     n. Employing.] [F. employer, fr. L. implicare to fold into,
     infold, involve, implicate, engage; in + plicare to fold. See
     Ply, and cf. Imply, Implicate.]
     1. To inclose; to infold. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
  
     2. To use; to have in service; to cause to be engaged in
        doing something; -- often followed by in, about, on, or
        upon, and sometimes by to; as:
        (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means, a material,
            etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ
            the pen in writing, bricks in building, words and
            phrases in speaking; to employ the mind; to employ
            one's energies.
  
                  This is a day in which the thoughts . . . ought
                  to be employed on serious subjects. --Addison.
        (b) To occupy; as, to employ time in study.
        (c) To have or keep at work; to give employment or
            occupation to; to intrust with some duty or behest;
            as, to employ a hundred workmen; to employ an envoy.
  
                  Jonathan . . . and Jahaziah . . . were employed
                  about this matter.                --Ezra x. 15.
  
                  Thy vineyard must employ the sturdy steer To
                  turn the glebe.                   --Dryden.
  
     To employ one's self, to apply or devote one's time and
        attention; to busy one's self.
  
     Syn: To use; busy; apply; exercise; occupy; engross; engage.
          See Use.