Employ
Employ , transitive verb
[French employer, from Latin implicare to fold into, infold, involve, implicate, engage; in + plicare to fold. See Ply, and compare Imply, Implicate.]
1.
To inclose; to infold. [Obsolete] — 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.
(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.
Thy vineyard must employ the sturdy steer
To turn the glebe.
Collocations (1)
To employ one's self , to apply or devote one's time and attention; to busy one's self.
Employ , noun
[Compare French emploi.]
That which engages or occupies a person; fixed or regular service or business; employment.
The whole employ of body and of mind.
Collocations (1)
In one's employ , in one's service.