Etymology Map
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Engage

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means to occupy; to promise; to hire

Where does the word "engage" come from? It comes from Frankish wadi, passing through Old French before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
wadi
Frankish · ancient
"pledge"
a Frankish word related to 'wage' and 'wed'
2
Stage 2 of 3
engagier
Old French · medieval
"to pledge"
'en-' plus 'gage', a pledge
3
Stage 3 of 3
engage
English · 1500s
"to pledge"
'engaged' to marry dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Engage’s story begins in Frankish: wadi meant “pledge.” A Frankish word related to 'wage' and 'wed'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as engagier. 'en-' plus 'gage', a pledge. It reached English by 1500s as engage. 'engaged' to marry dates from the 1600s. Today, engage means to occupy; to promise; to hire.