2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Engross \En*gross"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Engrossed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Engrossing}.] [F., fr. pref. en- (L. in) + gros
gross, grosse, n., an engrossed document: cf. OF. engrossir,
engroissier, to make thick, large, or gross. See {Gross}.]
1. To make gross, thick, or large; to thicken; to increase in
bulk or quantity. [Obs.]
Waves . . . engrossed with mud. --Spenser.
Not sleeping, to engross his idle body. --Shak.
2. To amass. [Obs.]
To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf. --Shak.
3. To copy or write in a large hand (en gross, i. e., in
large); to write a fair copy of in distinct and legible
characters; as, to engross a deed or like instrument on
parchment.
Some period long past, when clerks engrossed their
stiff and formal chirography on more substantial
materials. --Hawthorne.
Laws that may be engrossed on a finger nail. --De
Quincey.
4. To seize in the gross; to take the whole of; to occupy
wholly; to absorb; as, the subject engrossed all his
thoughts.
5. To purchase either the whole or large quantities of, for
the purpose of enhancing the price and making a profit;
hence, to take or assume in undue quantity, proportion, or
degree; as, to engross commodities in market; to engross
power.
{Engrossed bill} (Legislation), one which has been plainly
engrossed on parchment, with all its amendments,
preparatory to final action on its passage.
{Engrossing hand} (Penmanship), a fair, round style of
writing suitable for engrossing legal documents,
legislative bills, etc.
Syn: To absorb; swallow up; imbibe; consume; exhaust; occupy;
forestall; monopolize. See {Absorb}.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
engross
v 1: engross (oneself) fully; "He immersed himself into his
studies" [syn: {steep}, {immerse}, {engulf}, {plunge}, {absorb},
{soak up}]
2: engage or engross wholly; "Her interest in butterflies
absorbs her completely" [syn: {absorb}, {engage}, {occupy}]