engross

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Related terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Ultimately from Late Latin ingrossare, in some senses through Old French en gros (“‘in large, in bulk’”); in some senses through Anglo-Norman engrosser.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA:
  • US: /ɛnˈɡroʊs/ or /ɛŋˈɡroʊs/
  • UK: /ɛnˈɡrəʊs/ or /ɛŋˈɡrəʊs/

  Rhymes: -əʊs

[edit] Verb

to engross (third-person singular simple present engrosses, present participle engrossing, simple past and past participle engrossed)

1. (transitive, now law) To write (a document) in large, aesthetic, and legible lettering; to make a finalized copy of.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To buy up wholesale, especially to buy the whole supply of (a commodity etc.).
3. (transitive) To monopolize; to concentrate (something) in the single possession of someone, especially unfairly.
   • 2007, John Burrow, A History of Histories, Penguin 2009, pp. 125-6:

     Octavian then engrosses for himself proconsular powers for ten years in all the provinces where more than one legion was stationed, giving him effective control of the army.

4. (transitive) To completely engage the attention of.

   She seems to be completely engrossed in that book.

5. (transitive, obsolete) To make gross or fat.

[edit] Related terms

• gross

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• “engross” in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001