| 释义 |
unenˈgaged, ppl. a.
Also 7–8 unin-.
[un-1 8.]
†1. Unimpeded. Obs.—1
1653Gauden Hierasp. To Rdr. 2 b, From which free and un-ingaged prospect both he and they may..behold the later..changes in exterior matters of Religion.
2. Not bound or committed in any way (esp. by a pledge or promise).
a1656Bp. Hall Modest Offer 2 Both the Houses of Parliament..stand yet free, and unengaged to any part. 1697Collier Ess. Mor. Subj. i. (1703) 110 'Tis my humble Opinion, that they should keep their Inclinations unengaged. 1757W. Wilkie Epigon. v. 148 The truce subsists with all the rest; are we Alone excepted, unengag'd and free?
b. spec. Not bound by an engagement or promise to marry; not betrothed.
1702Vanbrugh False Friend iii. i, His Behaviour wou'd engage any thing that were unengag'd. 1709Mrs. Manley Secret Mem. I. 217 He was handsome, he was young:..She was innocent and uningag'd. 1814Scott Wav. lviii, An alliance, which to an unengaged person,..holds out too many charms to be lightly laid aside. 1877Sir H. Taylor Autobiog. (1885) I. 218 He consented to our seeing more of one another on an unengaged footing.
†3. Not committed to a special view or opinion; unprejudiced. Obs.
1653Milton Hirelings Wks. 1851 V. 338 If it suffic'd..to convince..the uningag'd of other Nations in the justice of your doings. 1663J. Spencer Prodigies (1665) 401 Persons of more free and un-ingaged minds, and that use not to believe without asking themselves why.
4. Not hired.
1654D. Osborne Lett. (1888) 293 He is commended to me..for a most excellent servant... I'll keep him unengaged till I hear from you. 1889Gunter That Frenchman xiii, She chances to find an unengaged cab.
5. Not occupied or busied (in something).
1712Pope Lett. (1735) I. 187 If your Thoughts are unengaged, I shall explain myself further. 1759Johnson Rasselas xlv, The activity of Rasselas did not leave much time unengaged. 1800E. Hervey Mourtray Fam. II. 78 Her companion, who wandered about..unengaged in any pursuit. 1819Crabbe T. of Hall iv. 187, I took a trip, But duty none, in a relation's ship; Thus, unengaged, I felt my spirits light.
b. Disengaged from.
1805Emily Clark Banks of Douro II. 300 The first moment she was unengaged from Minette and Lady Archdale, she resolved to go and see them.
c. Not occupied or involved in fighting.
1806A. Duncan Nelson 39 The ships..were..unengaged in the contest. 1895A. Forbes in Daily News 18 Feb. 6/3 Mr. Herbert, in his redoubt in the centre of the Grivitza heights, remained unengaged until 4 p.m.
6. a. Not appropriated or allocated to a particular purpose.
a1732Swift (J.), When we have sunk the only unengaged revenues left, our incumbrances must remain perpetual.
b. Not assigned to a person.
1751Smollett Per. Pic. xci, Some profitable places were at that time vacant, and, as far as he knew, unengaged. 1755Johnson Let. to Richardson 3 Feb. in Pearson's Catal. (1900) 44 If you have any parts of the Universal History yet unengaged I know a gentleman desirous of giving his assistance. |