employn.

Brit.

/ᵻmˈplɔɪ/,

/ɛmˈplɔɪ/, U.S.

/ᵻmˈplɔɪ/,

/ɛmˈplɔɪ/

Forms:

α. 1600s– employ.

β. 1600s imploye, 1600s–1700s imploy.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Dutch. Partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: Dutch employ; French emploi.

Etymology: < (i) Dutch employ fact of using a person to perform a task (1652 in the passage translated in quot. 1653 at sense 1a), and its etymon (ii) French emploi utilization, use (c1275 in Old French), service, occupation (early 17th cent.), function or task performed in the service of a person or institution (1636) < emploier , employer employ v. Compare Spanish empleo (early 16th cent. or earlier), Italian impiego (1581). Compare earlier employ v., employment n.With β. forms compare im- prefix¹.

†a. The action or fact of using or employing a person to perform a task, job, etc.; = employment n. 4a. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1653 tr. L. van Aitzema Notable Revol. Netherlands 240 They supplied the vacant place successively, by the employ [Du. Employ] of their High^s Henrie and William.

1666 J. Evelyn Let. 26 Mar. in Diary & Corr. (1859) III. 184 Employ of chirurgeons.

1678 J. Browne Compl. Disc. Wounds 138 Thus by the imploy of ignorant Pretenders to the practice of this Art [sc. surgery], too oft are the King's Liege People Cheated of their Lives.

b. The state or condition of being employed to perform a task, job, etc.; esp. the state of working for an employer in return for wages. Chiefly in in (also into, out of) employ. Cf. employment n. 4b. Now somewhat archaic.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > working > [adverb]

in worka1382

at work?1440

in (also into, out of) employ1659

to work1776

society > occupation and work > working > [noun] > being employed

employment1604

employ1659

1659 R. Flecknoe Idea his Highness Oliver 61 Indifatigable in body and mind, Assidual in councel, perpetually in imploy.

1678 M. Nedham Christianissimus Christianandus iii. 27 The Conduct and Carriage of the French Court, since the Ministers which are now in Employ there appear'd upon the Stage.

1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xliii. 473 The first mention..of Thomas Sampson in publick employ.

1713 J. Addison in Guardian 11 Sept. 1/1 We are obliged by Duty to keep our selves in constant Employ.

1800 Asiatick Researches 6 340 A great deal goes in the payment of the troops allowed to each district, one fourth of whom are never in employ.

1831 Q. Rev. Apr. 187 Assignats were daily more and more depreciated, provisions were rising in price, and workmen out of employ.

1841 E. Miall in Nonconformist 1 391 Operatives out of employ.

1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda I. i. ix. 159 The wives of labouring men hoped their nimble boys of ten or twelve would be taken into employ by the gentlemen in livery.

1928 Pop. Mech. May 138 (advt.) Simply state..how long at address..how long in employ.

1977 R. A. E. Wells Dearth & Distress in Yorks. 17 Many employers..permitted those in regular employ to increase their debts.

2000 N. Z. Davis Gift in 16th-cent. France ii. 46 Relatives and associates of the bride contributed to her dowry: her godmother, her master or mistress (if she was in employ), her uncles and brothers.

c. Following a possessive or with of: the state of being employed by a particular person, organization, etc.; the service of an employer.

ΚΠ

1671 Some Considerations Deb. between Owners & Fishermen 3 These [men]..do frequently gain to themselves some what more then by the wages usually given by the Merchants, did they act in their imploy.

1747 R. Campbell London Tradesman lxxi. 294 A Youth educated in this manner..may live, not only in the Employ of others, but may in time deal for himself to any Extent.

1792 in K. Laybourn Brit. Trade Unionism (1991) 18 The masters of the coal flats in your employ do hereby give notice that they will not proceed.

1812 Gentleman's Mag. Dec. 520/2 This fellow..was in my employ as gardener.

1832 H. Martineau Homes Abroad ix. 114 New comers of their craft, or in their employ.

1867 Rep. Cases Eng. Courts Common Law LXXX. 191 The defendant fraudulently represented..that the reason why he had dismissed P. from his employ, was, the decrease in his business.

1885 Act 48 & 49 Victoria c. 56 Preamb. To permit electors in his regular employ to absent themselves.

1904 Daily News 11 Aug. 9 A poleman in the employ of a tramway company.

1996 J. Ehrman Younger Pitt III. iii. 94 Williams was for long in his employ as under butler and then house porter.

2004 New Yorker 4 Oct. 104/1 Even while researching ‘Our Man in Havana’.., Greene must have been in the employ of MI6.

a. Work; esp. paid work in the service of an employer; (formerly also as a count noun) †a job, a task (obsolete). Cf. employment n. 5b. Now somewhat archaic.

ΚΠ

1655 W. Gostelow Charls Stuart & Oliver Cromwel United iii. 47 He had deputed me to go to Oliver Cromwell, and after to his Majesty..The imploy he would inform me of.

1661 E. Hickeringill Jamaica Viewed (ed. 2) 14 Two or three Spanish slaves, (for a native Spaniard scorns the Employ) will look to six or seven hundred Hogs.

1673 Gentlewomans Compan. 4 They who undertake the difficult Employ of being an Instructress or Governess of Children, should be persons of no mean birth and breeding.

1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub iv. 99 Peter put these Bulls upon several Employs.

1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Tree Drunken Fellows..uncapable of so judicious Imploy [i.e. planting and grafting trees].

1787 Parl. Reg. 1781–96 XXI. 384 His application for employ had been made in writing a few months only previous to the end of the war.

1814 Gentleman's Mag. June 622/2 My employ was to daub the portraits of any who were fools enough to sit to me.

1834 Syst. Nat. Hist. 140 His [sc. a bloodhound's] employ was to recover any game that had escaped wounded from the hunter.

1901 Forum Jan. 94/1 Two weeks' notice to Potter was useful as giving him an opportunity to obtain employ elsewhere.

1965 Slavic Rev. 24 712 A strong contingent of Englishmen seeking employ in faraway Constantinople.

2008 B. Gaston Order Good Cheer (2009) 85 To find employ he had had to travel not miles but an entire ocean, to a new world.

b. A regular occupation; a profession; = employment n. 5d. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession

workeOE

mysteryc1390

facultyc1405

business1477

industrya1500

roomc1500

trade1525

pursuit1529

function1533

calling1539

profession?1552

vocation1553

entertainment1568

station1574

qualitya1586

employment1598

way of lifea1616

state1625

cloth1656

avocation1660

setworka1661

employ1669

estate1685

walk of life?1746

walk1836

1669 Addr. Hopeful Young Gentry 8 The Idle person is the only common Hackney, and, having no employ of his own to work off Time and his faculties, stands ready to let out himself Post.

1679 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress (ed. 3) 177 To have but a poor imploy in the world.

1697 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ I. i. xxvi. 158 That Ferry-man shall be prohibited the exercise of his employ, who overturns his Boat.

1771 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) V. 297 Neglect of the worldly employ wherein..God has placed us.

1795 J. Aikin Descr. Country round Manch. 238 From this variety of employ, population has more than doubled since 1772.

1851 L. M. Budgen Episodes Insect Life 3rd Ser. 75 The fund furnished by that worthy's compensatory bequest..was kept up by occasional work at his old employ.

1881 Local Preachers' Mag. June 185/1 Sick claimants..can only claim 8s. a week, and must not follow their usual employ.

1932 Diamond of Psi Upsilon Nov. 38 He..continued in this employ until ill health forced his retirement.

c. A paid position or post; = employment n. 5c. Now somewhat archaic.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > position or job > [noun] > official

officec1300

place1558

employment1590

employ1671

position1846

1671 W. Penn Truth Rescued iii. 25 Tis most notorious, that his imploy, was only as General of the Fleet.

1691 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 210 Being putt out of an employ..at the custome house at Newcastle.

1692 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 2) i. 193 Great Commands and Employs in the Dutch Colonies.

1742 R. North & M. North Life F. North 42 Another Employ fell to his Lordship's Share.

1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) ii. i. 41 The wariest of republics Has lavish'd all its chief employs upon him.

1834 C. Lorimer Lett. addressed to Young Master-mariner i. 2 Here you are, at twenty-five years of age, master of one of the finest vessels of her class in the United Kingdom, in an employ as wealthy and as respectable as most.

1907 Trans. Inst. Mining & Metall. 16 361 This is a magnificently equipped State Institution, and the pupils graduating from there are certain of a Government employ if they desire it.

2009 M. Abbott Bury Me Deep 172 When Nurse Mercer started here, where was she coming from? Where was her last employ?

3. An activity in which a person (or occasionally thing) engages; a pursuit, an occupation. Cf. employment n. 2. Now rare (chiefly poetic or archaic).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun]

busyingeOE

busyOE

busyship?c1225

busyhead1340

occupation?1387

occupyinga1400

businessc1405

vacationc1450

employing1459

employment1542

entertainment1551

activity1570

trade1591

negotiation1628

engagement1661

employ1675

busyness1809

occupancy1826

carry-on1917

1675 Char. Town Misse 5 She drives a Trade privately... For the Concealing of which from the first, tis the whole Imploy of the little Harlotry her Chamber-Maid, to study Lyes, Pretences, and Excuses.

1680 Academy 15 May 502/2 A better employ to exercise his courage.

a1734 R. North Examen (1740) ii. v. §128 394 As for the Vulgus of the Faction, we know very well what their Employ was.

1829 C. Welch Wesl. Polity 89 An assiduity worthy of a better employ.

1852 M. Arnold Empedocles on Etna, & Other Poems 18 The wind-borne mirroring Soul..Leaves its last employ.

1912 A. J. Westermayr Rudra v. 58 Now days succeeded days—weeks—months—a year went by and each hour had its wise employ.

4. The action or fact of using something for a purpose; utilization, application, use; = employment n. 1a. Now somewhat archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > [noun]

bihofthc1175

use?c1225

usinga1340

notingc1400

usage?c1400

occupationa1425

employment1437

employing1459

usancec1475

occupying1535

trade1552

wear1571

usury1607

adoperation1608

use-making1608

improvement1620

employ1677

exploiting1842

utilization1847

nuse1848

utilizing1864

1677 J. Logan Analogia Honorum 6 How needful then is the excellent employ of Navigation to our Nation.

a1694 A. Littleton in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1870) I. Ps. xv. 5 The drone without a sting..wanting a tool for employ.

1701 J. Jones Myst. Opium Reveal'd xii. 123 The Pleasure..diverts the sensitive Soul from his Employ of Contraction.

1751 W. Beawes Lex Mercatoria Rediviva 665 The Advantage arising from an Employ of Shipping, necessary to furnish them with the Madeira Wine they want.

1768 Woman of Honor III. xxxi. 100 The gratefull good woman, not content with only harbouring her, procured her means of subsistence by the honest industry of an employ of her talents in embroidery.

1829 R. Southey Sir Thomas More ii. 76 The application of gunpowder..was not brought into full employ, even after, etc.

1867 Brit. Jrnl. Dental Sci. 10 151 While, in theory, a mixture of ether and chloroform constitutes a most safe agency for our employ, when practically used such a mixture by no means yields up its constituents in the manner in which we should expect.

1911 H. James Outcry iii. ii. 242 Lady Sandgate..beside him by her secretary-desk..opening out the gilded crimson case for his employ, so that he had but to help himself.

2001 N. Henderson Rediscovering Prairies v. 101 I was quickly soaked with flying spray, and although uneasy, enjoyed this full employ of muscles to a single purpose.

†5. U.S. Nautical. The owner or owners of a ship. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > ship-owning > [noun] > ship-owner

ship-lordc1050

ship-owner1530

planter1663

ship-holder1828

employ1840

1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxi. 291 So high was the reputation of ‘the employ’ among men and officers.

1873 Sailors' Mag. & Seaman's Friend June 175 Capt. McNab..succeeded me in command, I having left that ship in Liverpool to join the above named ship belonging to the same employ.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

employv.

Brit.

/ᵻmˈplɔɪ/,

/ɛmˈplɔɪ/, U.S.

/ᵻmˈplɔɪ/,

/ɛmˈplɔɪ/

Forms:

α. late Middle English–1500s enploy, late Middle English–1600s emploie, late Middle English–1600s employe, late Middle English– employ, 1500s emploeth (3rd singular present indicative), 1500s emploi, 1500s emplowed (past participle), 1800s emply (U.S. regional), 1800s empl'y (U.S. regional).

β. late Middle English–1600s imploye, 1500s imploie, 1500s inploy, 1500s ymploye, 1500s–1600s ymploy, 1500s–1800s imploy, 1600s unploy.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French emploier.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman imploier, Anglo-Norman and Middle French emploier, Middle French employer (French employer ) to use or apply (for a purpose), to put to work (c1100 in Old French), to engage (someone) in an occupation (12th cent.), to occupy (time) with an activity (c1220), to allocate, assign (14th cent.), to bestow (a gift, etc.) (1486 in the passage translated in quot. a1492 at sense 3, or earlier; also early 12th cent. in Anglo-Norman and Old French as empleier , empleiier : see imply v. and compare ploy v.¹ beside ply v.¹) < classical Latin implicāre to enfold, to involve, etc. (see implicate v.), in post-classical Latin also ‘to spend or use (money)’ (from 13th cent. in British and continental sources). Compare Old Occitan emplegar (c1300), Spanish emplear (c1200; formerly also as †emplegar ), Portuguese empregar (13th cent.), Italian impiegare (14th cent.). Compare also post-classical Latin emploiare (1452 in a British source; < French). Compare imply v. and see discussion at that entry.With β. forms compare im- prefix¹, in- prefix³. With unploy at β. forms compare un- prefix¹. The motivation for the development of sense 7 is unclear; perhaps compare sense 3.

I. To make use of.

a. transitive. To apply (a thing) to a definite purpose; to use as a means, instrument, material, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > bring or put into use

travaila1382

to bring inc1384

employ1429

inveigh1547

innovate1548

to put into (also in) practice1553

to lay to1560

induct1615

produce1697

take1732

unlimber1867

phase1949

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > use for specific purpose

bestowc1315

lay1340

putc1390

apply1395

usea1398

applicate?a1425

deputec1425

explay1552

employ1553

consecrate1555

implya1625

sacrate1653

consign1700

devote1703

to give up1885

α.

1429 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1834) III. 333 (MED) Alle þeire receites..to be emploiede according to þe Kinges lawes in merchandises.

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. ccccxxxiii^v/2 Whan hir moder sawe the..lynnen cloth thus employed, she was moche wroth.

1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. v. f. 75^v When he beheld the bord..employed to so base an vse.

1624 Ld. Kensington Let. 31 Aug. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 173 To employ her credit with the king her son.

1671 tr. R. Fréjus Relation Voy. Mauritania 5 To employ eight hundred Piastres for his expence.

1718 Free-thinker No. 65. 1 Employ the Prerogative only for Their [sc. the people's] Good.

1759 B. Martin Nat. Hist. Eng. I. 53 The soil of this Country is..employed in Grain and Pasturage.

1839 W. S. Landor Andrea of Hungary in Wks. (1846) II. 526 All have more knowledge than they will employ.

1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters III. 51 Art was employed for the display of religious facts.

1930 Engineering 28 Feb. 280/3 Forced lubrication is employed for the main engine and for the turbo-blower.

1969 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 5 July 5/1 The study employs the terms anglophones, francophones and ‘others’ to denote respectively those who speak English, French or another language.

2000 J. Mann Murder, Magic, & Med. (rev. ed.) iii. 85 The cytotoxic (cell-killing) drugs employed in the treatment of cancer almost invariably induce vomiting.

β. a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) 126 The kynges owne money, wich he mey than imploye to oþer vse.c1538 T. Starkey Let. in England (1878) i. p. lxxiii Imploing such giftys..hit hath plesid him god to comyn vnto me.1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 85 The hils..and riuer sides being only imploied to vines.1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 763 Here Love his golden shafts imploies . 1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. v. §43 The Timber imployed about the Plough.1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 103 This Curse..Juno..imploy'd for Io's Punishment. 1772 J. Priestley Inst. Relig. (1782) I. 413 The rest of the inclosure imployed in tillage.1800 Portsmouth Tel. 30 June The Expedition, in which a greater number of transports will be imployed than in the late one against Holland.1869 C. Pote Let. to Gladstone on Withdrawal of Troops from Cape of Good Hope 6 The difficulty that must be experienced of imploying machinery effectively to organise the inhabitants.

b. transitive. To apply, devote, or dedicate (effort, thought, resources, etc.) to an object or aim.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > cause to operate [verb (transitive)] > put in effective operation

yieldc1315

underbear1382

to put forthc1390

showa1398

apply?c1400

to put outc1400

exercisec1405

to put toc1410

employ?1473

enforce1490

exerce1535

adhibit?1538

addict1562

endeavour?1575

work1591

address1598

to give stream to?1611

to lay out1651

exsert1665

exert1682

?1473 W. Caxton in tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) I. Pref. lf. 2^v Yf ther be ony thyng wreton or sayd to her playsir, y shall thynke my labour well employed.

c1570 J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1830) 3 He employed his haill cure and studie to reide these buikes.

1587 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. i. i. 37 To imploy their studies unto physike and the lawes.

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. viii. 43 And imploy your cheefest thoughts to courtship.

1684 Bp. G. Burnet tr. T. More Utopia 159 Other Animals, imploy their bodily Force one against another.

1739 tr. C. Rollin Rom. Hist. I. i. ii. 31 Romulus employed all his care in the execution of this excellent plan.

a1806 J. Barry in R. N. Wornum Lect. on Painting (1848) 151 Any man..who would generously employ his whole undivided attention to it.

1853 Boston Daily Atlas 25 Mar. Small separate States..employing all their energies in making war with each other.

1906 tr. P. Gryuer Napoleon King of Elba ii. 40 The poor inhabitants..having, up till then, employed all their resources in defending their lives against repeated bombardments, fire, and pillage.

1971 Biogr. Mem. Fellows Royal Soc. 17 283 He then employed all his skill, determination and persistence to overcome the very great financial and other difficulties involved.

2000 S. Pressfield Tides of War (2001) ii. 30 I tried [to break an egg], employing all my strength, and failed, as he grinned at me mischievously.

c. transitive. To make use of, avail oneself of (time, an opportunity, etc.); to spend or pass (time). Also in later use: to occupy (time) with an activity (cf. sense 2). Frequently with in.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > provide occasion or opportunity [verb (transitive)] > take an opportunity

findOE

employ?1473

sort1592

win1821

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)]

noteOE

take?a1160

turnc1175

usec1300

to fare witha1340

benote1340

spenda1400

usea1400

weara1400

naitc1400

occupy1423

to put (also set) in work?a1425

practise?c1430

apply1439

employ?1473

to call upon ——1477

help1489

tew1489

handle1509

exercise1526

improvea1529

serve1538

feed1540

enure1549

to make (also take) (a) use of1579

wield1601

adoperate1612

to avail oneself ofa1616

prevail1617

to make practice of1623

ploy1675

occasion1698

to call on ——1721

subserve1811

nuse1851

utilize1860

?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) II. lf. 239^v O thou cursid enemye that all thy tyme haste enployed in tyrannye.

1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. sig. b5^v He..employed his tyme to studye.

?1506 M. Beaufort tr. J. de Gruytrode Mirroure of Golde (Pynson) sig. D.vi Wherof thou ne shalte yelde accommptis byfore god, Howe & in what operacions thou haste inployed thy tyme.

1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie 74 Let vs imploy that time that God hath send vs In doing weill.

1621 G. Sandys tr. Ovid First Five Bks. Metamorphosis iv. 103 Some in life-practiz'd Arts imploy their times.

1666 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense (ed. 2) sig. A3^v How usefully You employ this glorious Recess.

1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 160 Those Intervals were imployed to..hunt for Food.

1732 T. Lediard tr. J. Terrasson Life Sethos II. ix. 277 He imploy'd the whole time in raising enormous machines.

1795 T. Maurice Hist. Hindostan I. ii. ix. 304 The account which Moses gives of the time employed in the creation.

1812 Brit. Critic June 580 M. Cuvier..seems to have employed this opportunity [to investigate fossil remains] with much ardour and success.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §27. 195 Having ten days at my disposal..I was anxious to employ them.

1921 H. G. Storr Mohawk Peter 236 We watched them with interest. It was something to employ the time, which hung like lead.

1922 Jewelers' Circular 21 June 117/3 J. L. York..and A. Carlstrom..employed several days in visiting at the Chicago office last week.

1958 S. Bertensson & J. Leyda S. Rachmaninoff ii. xii. 357 Rachmaninoff, though he saw films irregularly, eagerly employed this opportunity to inquire into the whole process of film making.

2000 Luso-Brazilian Rev. 37 37 Lund employed his time by cultivating his garden.

a. transitive (reflexive). In early use: to apply oneself to a task, undertaking, etc. (frequently with to). Later: to busy or occupy oneself with an activity (frequently with in.). Also in extended use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or busy oneself [verb (reflexive)] > devote or apply oneself

choosea1300

yield?a1366

givea1400

employ1439

applyc1450

poura1500

intend?1504

delivera1533

addict1534

bequeath1558

bend1591

devotea1616

devow1626

surrendera1732

puzzle1751

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or busy oneself [verb (reflexive)]

busyOE

frequent?a1562

employ1578

1439 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1835) V. 391 (MED) Þe Kyng ys contente þat þe Duke of Orleance..be enlargessede to emploie him to good conclusyon of peas.

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. cclxxvii^v/2 For goddessake and for pytie I shall enploy me herin to do the best I can.

1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 42 Employ thy selfe to martial feats.

1607 S. Hieron Discouerie of Hypocrisie in Wks. (1620) I. 245 For the lawfull imploying himselfe in the same.

1698 W. Cowper Anat. Humane Bodies Introd. sig. b/1 The Contemplation of Humane Bodies is doubtless one of the most Diverting and Noble Amusements, in which a Philosophical Mind can employ it self.

1764 T. Reid Inq. Human Mind (1785) i. §2. 12 Castle-builders employ themselves..in romance.

1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics (1860) I. 4 More of genius than common was required to teach a man how to employ himself.

1950 E. Goudge Gentian Hill (1992) ii. i. 149 The Abbé..employed himself in the writing of books so erudite that only men who were his equals in scholarship could understand a word of them.

2008 Sunday Mail (Queensland, Austral.) (Nexis) 4 May 94 Decktha could get involved in community service projects, employing himself as best he can..to do tricky graffiti removal or pick up papers on the freeway.

b. transitive. To occupy (a person, the mind, hands, etc.) with a task or activity; to find occupation for, to busy. Frequently (now chiefly) in passive: to be occupied, to be busy. Frequently with in.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)]

busyeOE

busyOE

occupya1325

exercisec1384

employ1477

embusy1485

to hold (also keep) in play1548

exerce1584

engage1648

to tie up1887

1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 6^v Employe not..your mynde in falshede nor in malice.

1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello Certaine Tragicall Disc. f. 170^v Her father forgate not to imploye her in the trade of honeste toyle, and teache her to treade the steppes of hys trauayle.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xxxiv. 208 Men, that are otherwise imployed.

1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 191 All ingaged and imploy'd in the Contemplation of our Excellencies.

1704 J. Swift Full Acct. Battel between Bks. in Tale of Tub 273 He was employ'd in Drinking.

1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels II. 277 Imploying our Thoughts, upon the Occasions chosen by Our Lord.

1790 W. Bligh Narr. Mutiny on Bounty 33 Two people constantly employed baling.

1823 C. G. Ward Cottage on Cliff xxxvi. 697 Had she not employed her hands in cooling the caudle with a spoon that lay on the table, [she] would have seemed utterly without life or motion.

1850 J. McCosh Method Divine Govt. (ed. 2) ii. ii. 221 How can the whole soul be so nobly..employed?

1867 A. L. Adams Wanderings Naturalist India 233 My servants and shickaree were employed in stretching bear-skins.

1917 Mod. Hosp. June 406/2 Forty-six criminal insane patients welcomed the chance to employ their minds and hands to help them forget their mental troubles.

1981 W. Boyd Good Man in Afr. (1982) iii. 277 He couldn't help anybody else, not now, not any more; he was fully employed helping himself.

2003 Stud. Romanticism 42 185 Spring bark-stripping would have kept villagers busily employed for about two months.

c. transitive. Of a task, activity, or other object of attention: to engage or occupy (a person, the mind, hands, etc.).

ΚΠ

1665 R. Boyle Disc. ii. iv, in Occas. Refl. sig. C5^v Occasional Reflections..need not employ our hands.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 124 Their young Succession all their Cares employ .

1709 A. Pope Summer in Poet. Misc.: 6th Pt. vi. 734 Then might my Voice thy list'ning Ears employ.

1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vii. xvii. 169 Speculations to employ our Curiosity.

1774 O. Goldsmith Grecian Hist. II. iii. 170 Mithridates, who so long employed the Roman armies.

1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) i. 13 A Pan's pipe employed his mouth.

1854 Ld. Tennyson To Rev. F. D. Maurice in Poems i Come, when no graver cares employ.

1920 29th Biennial Rep. Superintendent Public Instr. (Calif.) 34 It is the children that have nothing to do, no place to go, and nothing to employ their minds, that get into mischief.

2012 P. Parigi Rationalization of Miracles 6 These activities employed the nonfarming members of the rural population.

†3. transitive. To bestow (a gift, etc.) on or upon a person. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)]

forgivec900

giveOE

besetc1230

deala1250

i-yevec1275

to give (requite, etc.) into one's bosomc1386

yarka1400

wevec1400

yatec1400

administera1425

bequeathc1440

employa1492

exhibit1548

communicate1553

endue1587

cast1612

hand1650

to lay on1942

a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) ii. f. cclxxvi/2 He myght erre, in estemyng the almesse to be better employed [Fr. employee] on his syster, than to the other persone.

a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 128 The oblacions and the sacrifices wer employed upon the ministres of the temple.

1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Fi Melchisedech..employing upon Abraham bred and wyne.

a1592 R. Greene Sc. Hist. Iames IV (1598) i. sig. B2 What reward..May I imploy on you for this your zeale?

a. transitive. To use the services of (a person) to undertake a task, carry out work, etc. In later use chiefly: to hire or retain (a person) to do something in return for wages or payment, esp. to hire or retain (a person) to do work under an employment contract.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > service > serve [verb (transitive)] > have services of

to have retinue of1491

employ1523

command1575

society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ > retain in one's service

employ1523

entertain1549

to have (one) in fee1756

society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ

hirec1000

i-bye10..

i-hirec1000

soldc1386

takea1400

retain1437

wage1465

conduct1476

fee1488

conduce1502

implya1533

entertain1572

enter1585

wager1592

to fill up1598

to take on1611

improve1640

to speak for ——a1688

employa1727

engage1753

ploy1871

to turn on1893

to book up1915

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. li^v/2 It was thought nat beste to enploy his [sc. the Earl of Derby's] people there in that ieopardy.

1586 in Lett. & Papers Ld. Gray (1835) 97 The master hath remayned in hope to be ymployed in that seruice.

1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream i. i. 124 I must employ you in some businesse, Against our nuptiall.

1621 R. Speght Mortalities Memorandum 37 To thinke, not one of those, whome he imploy'd, Should be aliue within one hundred yeares.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §2 Moses..writ as a person imployed by God.

1701 T. Brett Acct. Church-govt. vii. 108 Deacons never had Cure of Souls: Neither were they employed by Fabianus to teach and instruct the People.

a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) ii. 224 Cinyras..imployed workmen in making armour.

1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. lix. 264 Let us employ these men in whatever departments their various abilities are best suited to.

1798 W. Atkinson Oblique View Grand Conspiracy Pref. p. v Numerous agitators..have been imployed by the conspirators to mislead the public mind.

1801 National Intelligencer & Washington Advertiser 12 Jan. I do hereby forwarn any person from harbouring or imploying said girl at their peril.

1872 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 206 Scott & Co., employing nine men six months.

1872 J. Morley Voltaire iv. 152 Lessing,..was employed by Voltaire..in the..Hirschel case.

1910 E. M. Forster Howards End xxxiii. 273 He was strongly against employing the local man whom he had previously recommended.

1941 Speculum 16 502 The youth employs a go-between to bring about a meeting.

2001 M. Steel Reasons to be Cheerful i. 13 He employed three mechanics, whose job was to retune and perfect Brise's rally car.

†b. transitive. spec. To send (a person) to a person or place with a special task or commission. Frequently with to, into, etc. Also to employ out. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > delegated authority > investing with delegated authority > vest authority in a person [verb (transitive)] > send on mission or as delegate

sendc950

commissionate1587

attorneya1616

employa1616

to send in legation1649

commission1652

mission1692

a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iii. 61 We shall haue neede T' employ you towards this Romane.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) v. ii. 69 To Cæsar I will speake, what you shall please, If you'l imploy me to him.

1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. iii. vi. 284 Publius Seruilius was employd out against them.

1650 J. Howell tr. A. Giraffi Exact Hist. Late Revol. Naples 56 He imployed besides into the Castle three Gentlemen of speciall parts.

1687 W. Penn Good Advice to Church of Eng. 22 Bishop Usher was Employ'd to O. Cromwell by some of the Clergy.

1742 J. Anderson Geneal. Hist. House of Yvery I. iv. ix. 272 This John..employed into Ireland, upon the King's special Service.

†II. To imply (in various senses of the verb).

5. transitive. To include or contain implicitly; to imply; to signify. Cf. imply v. 2, 3. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > mean [verb (transitive)]

meaneOE

beholdc1175

spele?c1225

bemeana1300

amountc1300

willa1382

import1425

employ1528

intend?c1530

would say1564

understand1617

spella1661

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > incorporate or include [verb (transitive)]

beclipc1230

beshut1340

contain1340

comprehendc1374

continue1377

begripe1393

close1393

incorpor1398

conceive?c1400

includec1475

engrossa1500

complect1523

conclude?1523

employ1528

to take in1534

retain1577

surmise1578

imprehend1590

immerse1605

comprise1651

involve1651

complexa1657

embrace1697

incorporate1824

embody1847

cover1868

1528 E. Foxe in N. Pocock Rec. Reformation (1870) I. liii. 143 The causes..imployed so manifest justness.

a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) i. vi. sig. B.ii^v We must expresse or imploy a condicion therein.

1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 31 Which wordes do employ nothyng els, but that [etc.].

1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles in Plays (1873) I. 134 Fortunio welcome, And in that welcome I imploy your wiues.

1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 129 Passed a decree, that the day on which hee beganne his Empire should be called Palilia, imploying thereby..a second foundation of the Cittie.

1629 Vse of Law 36 in J. Doddridge Lawyers Light Which interest of marriage went still imployed..in every tenure called Knights service.

6. transitive. To enclose, encircle. Cf. imply v. 1. Obsolete. rare.In quot. as part of an extended metaphor.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)]

befong971

beclipc1000

begoc1000

belieOE

bestandc1000

to go about ——OE

umbegangc1200

behema1250

befallc1275

berunc1275

girdc1290

bihalvena1300

umlapa1300

umlaya1300

umlouka1300

umbegoc1300

belayc1320

halsea1340

enclose1340

umbelapa1350

embracec1360

betrendc1374

circlec1374

umbecasta1375

to give about1382

environa1393

umbeclipa1395

compassa1400

encircle?a1400

enourle?a1400

umbegivea1400

umbeseta1400

umbeliec1400

umbetighc1400

enroundc1420

measurec1425

umbsteadc1450

adviron?1473

purprise1481

umbeviron1489

belta1500

girtha1500

overgirda1500

engirt15..

envirea1513

round?a1513

brace1513

umbereach1513

becompass1520

circuea1533

girtc1540

umbsetc1540

circule1553

encompass1555

circulate?a1560

ingyre1568

to do about1571

engird1573

circumdate1578

succinge1578

employ1579

circuate1581

girdle1582

wheel1582

circumgyre1583

enring1589

ringa1592

embail1593

enfold1596

invier1596

stem1596

circumcingle1599

ingert1599

engirdle1602

circulize1603

circumscribe1605

begirt1608

to go round1610

enwheela1616

surround1616

shingle1621

encirculize1624

circumviron1632

beround1643

orba1644

circumference1646

becircle1648

incircuitc1650

circumcinge1657

circumtend1684

besiege1686

cincture1789

zone1795

cravat1814

encincture1820

circumvent1824

begirdle1837

perambulate1863

cordon1891

1579 Poore Knight his Pallace B^v Crabbed Care, imployd with streekes of red.

†III. To supply.

7. transitive. = supply v.¹ 1a. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything

feather?c1225

serve?c1225

astore1297

purveya1325

purveyc1325

warnishc1330

supply1384

bego1393

garnish?a1400

stuff14..

instore1432

relievec1480

providec1485

appurvey1487

support?1507

furnishc1515

repair1518

supply1529

speed1531

help (a person) to (also with)1569

sort1598

suffice1600

enduea1616

starta1640

employ1690

find1713

to fix out1725

issue1737

service1969

1690 J. Child Disc. Trade ix. 145 It employs the Nation for its Consumption, with Pepper, Indico, Calicoes.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	employ
释义	employn. Brit. /ᵻmˈplɔɪ/, /ɛmˈplɔɪ/, U.S. /ᵻmˈplɔɪ/, /ɛmˈplɔɪ/ Forms: α. 1600s– employ. β. 1600s imploye, 1600s–1700s imploy. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Dutch. Partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: Dutch employ; French emploi. Etymology: < (i) Dutch employ fact of using a person to perform a task (1652 in the passage translated in quot. 1653 at sense 1a), and its etymon (ii) French emploi utilization, use (c1275 in Old French), service, occupation (early 17th cent.), function or task performed in the service of a person or institution (1636) < emploier , employer employ v. Compare Spanish empleo (early 16th cent. or earlier), Italian impiego (1581). Compare earlier employ v., employment n.With β. forms compare im- prefix¹. 1. †a. The action or fact of using or employing a person to perform a task, job, etc.; = employment n. 4a. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1653 tr. L. van Aitzema Notable Revol. Netherlands 240 They supplied the vacant place successively, by the employ [Du. Employ] of their High^s Henrie and William. 1666 J. Evelyn Let. 26 Mar. in Diary & Corr. (1859) III. 184 Employ of chirurgeons. 1678 J. Browne Compl. Disc. Wounds 138 Thus by the imploy of ignorant Pretenders to the practice of this Art [sc. surgery], too oft are the King's Liege People Cheated of their Lives. b. The state or condition of being employed to perform a task, job, etc.; esp. the state of working for an employer in return for wages. Chiefly in in (also into, out of) employ. Cf. employment n. 4b. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > working > [adverb] in worka1382 at work?1440 in (also into, out of) employ1659 to work1776 society > occupation and work > working > [noun] > being employed employment1604 employ1659 1659 R. Flecknoe Idea his Highness Oliver 61 Indifatigable in body and mind, Assidual in councel, perpetually in imploy. 1678 M. Nedham Christianissimus Christianandus iii. 27 The Conduct and Carriage of the French Court, since the Ministers which are now in Employ there appear'd upon the Stage. 1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xliii. 473 The first mention..of Thomas Sampson in publick employ. 1713 J. Addison in Guardian 11 Sept. 1/1 We are obliged by Duty to keep our selves in constant Employ. 1800 Asiatick Researches 6 340 A great deal goes in the payment of the troops allowed to each district, one fourth of whom are never in employ. 1831 Q. Rev. Apr. 187 Assignats were daily more and more depreciated, provisions were rising in price, and workmen out of employ. 1841 E. Miall in Nonconformist 1 391 Operatives out of employ. 1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda I. i. ix. 159 The wives of labouring men hoped their nimble boys of ten or twelve would be taken into employ by the gentlemen in livery. 1928 Pop. Mech. May 138 (advt.) Simply state..how long at address..how long in employ. 1977 R. A. E. Wells Dearth & Distress in Yorks. 17 Many employers..permitted those in regular employ to increase their debts. 2000 N. Z. Davis Gift in 16th-cent. France ii. 46 Relatives and associates of the bride contributed to her dowry: her godmother, her master or mistress (if she was in employ), her uncles and brothers. c. Following a possessive or with of: the state of being employed by a particular person, organization, etc.; the service of an employer. ΚΠ 1671 Some Considerations Deb. between Owners & Fishermen 3 These [men]..do frequently gain to themselves some what more then by the wages usually given by the Merchants, did they act in their imploy. 1747 R. Campbell London Tradesman lxxi. 294 A Youth educated in this manner..may live, not only in the Employ of others, but may in time deal for himself to any Extent. 1792 in K. Laybourn Brit. Trade Unionism (1991) 18 The masters of the coal flats in your employ do hereby give notice that they will not proceed. 1812 Gentleman's Mag. Dec. 520/2 This fellow..was in my employ as gardener. 1832 H. Martineau Homes Abroad ix. 114 New comers of their craft, or in their employ. 1867 Rep. Cases Eng. Courts Common Law LXXX. 191 The defendant fraudulently represented..that the reason why he had dismissed P. from his employ, was, the decrease in his business. 1885 Act 48 & 49 Victoria c. 56 Preamb. To permit electors in his regular employ to absent themselves. 1904 Daily News 11 Aug. 9 A poleman in the employ of a tramway company. 1996 J. Ehrman Younger Pitt III. iii. 94 Williams was for long in his employ as under butler and then house porter. 2004 New Yorker 4 Oct. 104/1 Even while researching ‘Our Man in Havana’.., Greene must have been in the employ of MI6. 2. a. Work; esp. paid work in the service of an employer; (formerly also as a count noun) †a job, a task (obsolete). Cf. employment n. 5b. Now somewhat archaic. ΚΠ 1655 W. Gostelow Charls Stuart & Oliver Cromwel United iii. 47 He had deputed me to go to Oliver Cromwell, and after to his Majesty..The imploy he would inform me of. 1661 E. Hickeringill Jamaica Viewed (ed. 2) 14 Two or three Spanish slaves, (for a native Spaniard scorns the Employ) will look to six or seven hundred Hogs. 1673 Gentlewomans Compan. 4 They who undertake the difficult Employ of being an Instructress or Governess of Children, should be persons of no mean birth and breeding. 1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub iv. 99 Peter put these Bulls upon several Employs. 1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Tree Drunken Fellows..uncapable of so judicious Imploy [i.e. planting and grafting trees]. 1787 Parl. Reg. 1781–96 XXI. 384 His application for employ had been made in writing a few months only previous to the end of the war. 1814 Gentleman's Mag. June 622/2 My employ was to daub the portraits of any who were fools enough to sit to me. 1834 Syst. Nat. Hist. 140 His [sc. a bloodhound's] employ was to recover any game that had escaped wounded from the hunter. 1901 Forum Jan. 94/1 Two weeks' notice to Potter was useful as giving him an opportunity to obtain employ elsewhere. 1965 Slavic Rev. 24 712 A strong contingent of Englishmen seeking employ in faraway Constantinople. 2008 B. Gaston Order Good Cheer (2009) 85 To find employ he had had to travel not miles but an entire ocean, to a new world. b. A regular occupation; a profession; = employment n. 5d. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession workeOE mysteryc1390 facultyc1405 business1477 industrya1500 roomc1500 trade1525 pursuit1529 function1533 calling1539 profession?1552 vocation1553 entertainment1568 station1574 qualitya1586 employment1598 way of lifea1616 state1625 cloth1656 avocation1660 setworka1661 employ1669 estate1685 walk of life?1746 walk1836 1669 Addr. Hopeful Young Gentry 8 The Idle person is the only common Hackney, and, having no employ of his own to work off Time and his faculties, stands ready to let out himself Post. 1679 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress (ed. 3) 177 To have but a poor imploy in the world. 1697 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ I. i. xxvi. 158 That Ferry-man shall be prohibited the exercise of his employ, who overturns his Boat. 1771 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) V. 297 Neglect of the worldly employ wherein..God has placed us. 1795 J. Aikin Descr. Country round Manch. 238 From this variety of employ, population has more than doubled since 1772. 1851 L. M. Budgen Episodes Insect Life 3rd Ser. 75 The fund furnished by that worthy's compensatory bequest..was kept up by occasional work at his old employ. 1881 Local Preachers' Mag. June 185/1 Sick claimants..can only claim 8s. a week, and must not follow their usual employ. 1932 Diamond of Psi Upsilon Nov. 38 He..continued in this employ until ill health forced his retirement. c. A paid position or post; = employment n. 5c. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > position or job > [noun] > official officec1300 place1558 employment1590 employ1671 position1846 1671 W. Penn Truth Rescued iii. 25 Tis most notorious, that his imploy, was only as General of the Fleet. 1691 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 210 Being putt out of an employ..at the custome house at Newcastle. 1692 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 2) i. 193 Great Commands and Employs in the Dutch Colonies. 1742 R. North & M. North Life F. North 42 Another Employ fell to his Lordship's Share. 1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) ii. i. 41 The wariest of republics Has lavish'd all its chief employs upon him. 1834 C. Lorimer Lett. addressed to Young Master-mariner i. 2 Here you are, at twenty-five years of age, master of one of the finest vessels of her class in the United Kingdom, in an employ as wealthy and as respectable as most. 1907 Trans. Inst. Mining & Metall. 16 361 This is a magnificently equipped State Institution, and the pupils graduating from there are certain of a Government employ if they desire it. 2009 M. Abbott Bury Me Deep 172 When Nurse Mercer started here, where was she coming from? Where was her last employ? 3. An activity in which a person (or occasionally thing) engages; a pursuit, an occupation. Cf. employment n. 2. Now rare (chiefly poetic or archaic). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] busyingeOE busyOE busyship?c1225 busyhead1340 occupation?1387 occupyinga1400 businessc1405 vacationc1450 employing1459 employment1542 entertainment1551 activity1570 trade1591 negotiation1628 engagement1661 employ1675 busyness1809 occupancy1826 carry-on1917 1675 Char. Town Misse 5 She drives a Trade privately... For the Concealing of which from the first, tis the whole Imploy of the little Harlotry her Chamber-Maid, to study Lyes, Pretences, and Excuses. 1680 Academy 15 May 502/2 A better employ to exercise his courage. a1734 R. North Examen (1740) ii. v. §128 394 As for the Vulgus of the Faction, we know very well what their Employ was. 1829 C. Welch Wesl. Polity 89 An assiduity worthy of a better employ. 1852 M. Arnold Empedocles on Etna, & Other Poems 18 The wind-borne mirroring Soul..Leaves its last employ. 1912 A. J. Westermayr Rudra v. 58 Now days succeeded days—weeks—months—a year went by and each hour had its wise employ. 4. The action or fact of using something for a purpose; utilization, application, use; = employment n. 1a. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > [noun] bihofthc1175 use?c1225 usinga1340 notingc1400 usage?c1400 occupationa1425 employment1437 employing1459 usancec1475 occupying1535 trade1552 wear1571 usury1607 adoperation1608 use-making1608 improvement1620 employ1677 exploiting1842 utilization1847 nuse1848 utilizing1864 1677 J. Logan Analogia Honorum 6 How needful then is the excellent employ of Navigation to our Nation. a1694 A. Littleton in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1870) I. Ps. xv. 5 The drone without a sting..wanting a tool for employ. 1701 J. Jones Myst. Opium Reveal'd xii. 123 The Pleasure..diverts the sensitive Soul from his Employ of Contraction. 1751 W. Beawes Lex Mercatoria Rediviva 665 The Advantage arising from an Employ of Shipping, necessary to furnish them with the Madeira Wine they want. 1768 Woman of Honor III. xxxi. 100 The gratefull good woman, not content with only harbouring her, procured her means of subsistence by the honest industry of an employ of her talents in embroidery. 1829 R. Southey Sir Thomas More ii. 76 The application of gunpowder..was not brought into full employ, even after, etc. 1867 Brit. Jrnl. Dental Sci. 10 151 While, in theory, a mixture of ether and chloroform constitutes a most safe agency for our employ, when practically used such a mixture by no means yields up its constituents in the manner in which we should expect. 1911 H. James Outcry iii. ii. 242 Lady Sandgate..beside him by her secretary-desk..opening out the gilded crimson case for his employ, so that he had but to help himself. 2001 N. Henderson Rediscovering Prairies v. 101 I was quickly soaked with flying spray, and although uneasy, enjoyed this full employ of muscles to a single purpose. †5. U.S. Nautical. The owner or owners of a ship. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > ship-owning > [noun] > ship-owner ship-lordc1050 ship-owner1530 planter1663 ship-holder1828 employ1840 1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxi. 291 So high was the reputation of ‘the employ’ among men and officers. 1873 Sailors' Mag. & Seaman's Friend June 175 Capt. McNab..succeeded me in command, I having left that ship in Liverpool to join the above named ship belonging to the same employ. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). employv. Brit. /ᵻmˈplɔɪ/, /ɛmˈplɔɪ/, U.S. /ᵻmˈplɔɪ/, /ɛmˈplɔɪ/ Forms: α. late Middle English–1500s enploy, late Middle English–1600s emploie, late Middle English–1600s employe, late Middle English– employ, 1500s emploeth (3rd singular present indicative), 1500s emploi, 1500s emplowed (past participle), 1800s emply (U.S. regional), 1800s empl'y (U.S. regional). β. late Middle English–1600s imploye, 1500s imploie, 1500s inploy, 1500s ymploye, 1500s–1600s ymploy, 1500s–1800s imploy, 1600s unploy. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French emploier. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman imploier, Anglo-Norman and Middle French emploier, Middle French employer (French employer ) to use or apply (for a purpose), to put to work (c1100 in Old French), to engage (someone) in an occupation (12th cent.), to occupy (time) with an activity (c1220), to allocate, assign (14th cent.), to bestow (a gift, etc.) (1486 in the passage translated in quot. a1492 at sense 3, or earlier; also early 12th cent. in Anglo-Norman and Old French as empleier , empleiier : see imply v. and compare ploy v.¹ beside ply v.¹) < classical Latin implicāre to enfold, to involve, etc. (see implicate v.), in post-classical Latin also ‘to spend or use (money)’ (from 13th cent. in British and continental sources). Compare Old Occitan emplegar (c1300), Spanish emplear (c1200; formerly also as †emplegar ), Portuguese empregar (13th cent.), Italian impiegare (14th cent.). Compare also post-classical Latin emploiare (1452 in a British source; < French). Compare imply v. and see discussion at that entry.With β. forms compare im- prefix¹, in- prefix³. With unploy at β. forms compare un- prefix¹. The motivation for the development of sense 7 is unclear; perhaps compare sense 3. I. To make use of. 1. a. transitive. To apply (a thing) to a definite purpose; to use as a means, instrument, material, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > bring or put into use travaila1382 to bring inc1384 employ1429 inveigh1547 innovate1548 to put into (also in) practice1553 to lay to1560 induct1615 produce1697 take1732 unlimber1867 phase1949 the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > use for specific purpose bestowc1315 lay1340 putc1390 apply1395 usea1398 applicate?a1425 deputec1425 explay1552 employ1553 consecrate1555 implya1625 sacrate1653 consign1700 devote1703 to give up1885 α. 1429 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1834) III. 333 (MED) Alle þeire receites..to be emploiede according to þe Kinges lawes in merchandises. 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. ccccxxxiii^v/2 Whan hir moder sawe the..lynnen cloth thus employed, she was moche wroth. 1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. v. f. 75^v When he beheld the bord..employed to so base an vse. 1624 Ld. Kensington Let. 31 Aug. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 173 To employ her credit with the king her son. 1671 tr. R. Fréjus Relation Voy. Mauritania 5 To employ eight hundred Piastres for his expence. 1718 Free-thinker No. 65. 1 Employ the Prerogative only for Their [sc. the people's] Good. 1759 B. Martin Nat. Hist. Eng. I. 53 The soil of this Country is..employed in Grain and Pasturage. 1839 W. S. Landor Andrea of Hungary in Wks. (1846) II. 526 All have more knowledge than they will employ. 1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters III. 51 Art was employed for the display of religious facts. 1930 Engineering 28 Feb. 280/3 Forced lubrication is employed for the main engine and for the turbo-blower. 1969 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 5 July 5/1 The study employs the terms anglophones, francophones and ‘others’ to denote respectively those who speak English, French or another language. 2000 J. Mann Murder, Magic, & Med. (rev. ed.) iii. 85 The cytotoxic (cell-killing) drugs employed in the treatment of cancer almost invariably induce vomiting. β. a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) 126 The kynges owne money, wich he mey than imploye to oþer vse.c1538 T. Starkey Let. in England (1878) i. p. lxxiii Imploing such giftys..hit hath plesid him god to comyn vnto me.1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 85 The hils..and riuer sides being only imploied to vines.1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 763 Here Love his golden shafts imploies . View more context for this quotation1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. v. §43 The Timber imployed about the Plough.1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 103 This Curse..Juno..imploy'd for Io's Punishment. View more context for this quotation1772 J. Priestley Inst. Relig. (1782) I. 413 The rest of the inclosure imployed in tillage.1800 Portsmouth Tel. 30 June The Expedition, in which a greater number of transports will be imployed than in the late one against Holland.1869 C. Pote Let. to Gladstone on Withdrawal of Troops from Cape of Good Hope 6 The difficulty that must be experienced of imploying machinery effectively to organise the inhabitants. b. transitive. To apply, devote, or dedicate (effort, thought, resources, etc.) to an object or aim. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > cause to operate [verb (transitive)] > put in effective operation yieldc1315 underbear1382 to put forthc1390 showa1398 apply?c1400 to put outc1400 exercisec1405 to put toc1410 employ?1473 enforce1490 exerce1535 adhibit?1538 addict1562 endeavour?1575 work1591 address1598 to give stream to?1611 to lay out1651 exsert1665 exert1682 ?1473 W. Caxton in tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) I. Pref. lf. 2^v Yf ther be ony thyng wreton or sayd to her playsir, y shall thynke my labour well employed. c1570 J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1830) 3 He employed his haill cure and studie to reide these buikes. 1587 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. i. i. 37 To imploy their studies unto physike and the lawes. 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. viii. 43 And imploy your cheefest thoughts to courtship. View more context for this quotation 1684 Bp. G. Burnet tr. T. More Utopia 159 Other Animals, imploy their bodily Force one against another. 1739 tr. C. Rollin Rom. Hist. I. i. ii. 31 Romulus employed all his care in the execution of this excellent plan. a1806 J. Barry in R. N. Wornum Lect. on Painting (1848) 151 Any man..who would generously employ his whole undivided attention to it. 1853 Boston Daily Atlas 25 Mar. Small separate States..employing all their energies in making war with each other. 1906 tr. P. Gryuer Napoleon King of Elba ii. 40 The poor inhabitants..having, up till then, employed all their resources in defending their lives against repeated bombardments, fire, and pillage. 1971 Biogr. Mem. Fellows Royal Soc. 17 283 He then employed all his skill, determination and persistence to overcome the very great financial and other difficulties involved. 2000 S. Pressfield Tides of War (2001) ii. 30 I tried [to break an egg], employing all my strength, and failed, as he grinned at me mischievously. c. transitive. To make use of, avail oneself of (time, an opportunity, etc.); to spend or pass (time). Also in later use: to occupy (time) with an activity (cf. sense 2). Frequently with in. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > provide occasion or opportunity [verb (transitive)] > take an opportunity findOE employ?1473 sort1592 win1821 the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] noteOE take?a1160 turnc1175 usec1300 to fare witha1340 benote1340 spenda1400 usea1400 weara1400 naitc1400 occupy1423 to put (also set) in work?a1425 practise?c1430 apply1439 employ?1473 to call upon ——1477 help1489 tew1489 handle1509 exercise1526 improvea1529 serve1538 feed1540 enure1549 to make (also take) (a) use of1579 wield1601 adoperate1612 to avail oneself ofa1616 to avail oneself ofa1616 prevail1617 to make practice of1623 ploy1675 occasion1698 to call on ——1721 subserve1811 nuse1851 utilize1860 ?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) II. lf. 239^v O thou cursid enemye that all thy tyme haste enployed in tyrannye. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. sig. b5^v He..employed his tyme to studye. ?1506 M. Beaufort tr. J. de Gruytrode Mirroure of Golde (Pynson) sig. D.vi Wherof thou ne shalte yelde accommptis byfore god, Howe & in what operacions thou haste inployed thy tyme. 1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie 74 Let vs imploy that time that God hath send vs In doing weill. 1621 G. Sandys tr. Ovid First Five Bks. Metamorphosis iv. 103 Some in life-practiz'd Arts imploy their times. 1666 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense (ed. 2) sig. A3^v How usefully You employ this glorious Recess. 1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 160 Those Intervals were imployed to..hunt for Food. 1732 T. Lediard tr. J. Terrasson Life Sethos II. ix. 277 He imploy'd the whole time in raising enormous machines. 1795 T. Maurice Hist. Hindostan I. ii. ix. 304 The account which Moses gives of the time employed in the creation. 1812 Brit. Critic June 580 M. Cuvier..seems to have employed this opportunity [to investigate fossil remains] with much ardour and success. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §27. 195 Having ten days at my disposal..I was anxious to employ them. 1921 H. G. Storr Mohawk Peter 236 We watched them with interest. It was something to employ the time, which hung like lead. 1922 Jewelers' Circular 21 June 117/3 J. L. York..and A. Carlstrom..employed several days in visiting at the Chicago office last week. 1958 S. Bertensson & J. Leyda S. Rachmaninoff ii. xii. 357 Rachmaninoff, though he saw films irregularly, eagerly employed this opportunity to inquire into the whole process of film making. 2000 Luso-Brazilian Rev. 37 37 Lund employed his time by cultivating his garden. 2. a. transitive (reflexive). In early use: to apply oneself to a task, undertaking, etc. (frequently with to). Later: to busy or occupy oneself with an activity (frequently with in.). Also in extended use. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or busy oneself [verb (reflexive)] > devote or apply oneself choosea1300 yield?a1366 givea1400 employ1439 applyc1450 poura1500 intend?1504 delivera1533 addict1534 bequeath1558 bend1591 devotea1616 devow1626 surrendera1732 puzzle1751 the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or busy oneself [verb (reflexive)] busyOE frequent?a1562 employ1578 1439 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1835) V. 391 (MED) Þe Kyng ys contente þat þe Duke of Orleance..be enlargessede to emploie him to good conclusyon of peas. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. cclxxvii^v/2 For goddessake and for pytie I shall enploy me herin to do the best I can. 1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 42 Employ thy selfe to martial feats. 1607 S. Hieron Discouerie of Hypocrisie in Wks. (1620) I. 245 For the lawfull imploying himselfe in the same. 1698 W. Cowper Anat. Humane Bodies Introd. sig. b/1 The Contemplation of Humane Bodies is doubtless one of the most Diverting and Noble Amusements, in which a Philosophical Mind can employ it self. 1764 T. Reid Inq. Human Mind (1785) i. §2. 12 Castle-builders employ themselves..in romance. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics (1860) I. 4 More of genius than common was required to teach a man how to employ himself. 1950 E. Goudge Gentian Hill (1992) ii. i. 149 The Abbé..employed himself in the writing of books so erudite that only men who were his equals in scholarship could understand a word of them. 2008 Sunday Mail (Queensland, Austral.) (Nexis) 4 May 94 Decktha could get involved in community service projects, employing himself as best he can..to do tricky graffiti removal or pick up papers on the freeway. b. transitive. To occupy (a person, the mind, hands, etc.) with a task or activity; to find occupation for, to busy. Frequently (now chiefly) in passive: to be occupied, to be busy. Frequently with in. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] busyeOE busyOE occupya1325 exercisec1384 employ1477 embusy1485 to hold (also keep) in play1548 exerce1584 engage1648 to tie up1887 1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 6^v Employe not..your mynde in falshede nor in malice. 1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello Certaine Tragicall Disc. f. 170^v Her father forgate not to imploye her in the trade of honeste toyle, and teache her to treade the steppes of hys trauayle. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xxxiv. 208 Men, that are otherwise imployed. 1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 191 All ingaged and imploy'd in the Contemplation of our Excellencies. 1704 J. Swift Full Acct. Battel between Bks. in Tale of Tub 273 He was employ'd in Drinking. 1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels II. 277 Imploying our Thoughts, upon the Occasions chosen by Our Lord. 1790 W. Bligh Narr. Mutiny on Bounty 33 Two people constantly employed baling. 1823 C. G. Ward Cottage on Cliff xxxvi. 697 Had she not employed her hands in cooling the caudle with a spoon that lay on the table, [she] would have seemed utterly without life or motion. 1850 J. McCosh Method Divine Govt. (ed. 2) ii. ii. 221 How can the whole soul be so nobly..employed? 1867 A. L. Adams Wanderings Naturalist India 233 My servants and shickaree were employed in stretching bear-skins. 1917 Mod. Hosp. June 406/2 Forty-six criminal insane patients welcomed the chance to employ their minds and hands to help them forget their mental troubles. 1981 W. Boyd Good Man in Afr. (1982) iii. 277 He couldn't help anybody else, not now, not any more; he was fully employed helping himself. 2003 Stud. Romanticism 42 185 Spring bark-stripping would have kept villagers busily employed for about two months. c. transitive. Of a task, activity, or other object of attention: to engage or occupy (a person, the mind, hands, etc.). ΚΠ 1665 R. Boyle Disc. ii. iv, in Occas. Refl. sig. C5^v Occasional Reflections..need not employ our hands. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 124 Their young Succession all their Cares employ . View more context for this quotation 1709 A. Pope Summer in Poet. Misc.: 6th Pt. vi. 734 Then might my Voice thy list'ning Ears employ. 1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vii. xvii. 169 Speculations to employ our Curiosity. 1774 O. Goldsmith Grecian Hist. II. iii. 170 Mithridates, who so long employed the Roman armies. 1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) i. 13 A Pan's pipe employed his mouth. 1854 Ld. Tennyson To Rev. F. D. Maurice in Poems i Come, when no graver cares employ. 1920 29th Biennial Rep. Superintendent Public Instr. (Calif.) 34 It is the children that have nothing to do, no place to go, and nothing to employ their minds, that get into mischief. 2012 P. Parigi Rationalization of Miracles 6 These activities employed the nonfarming members of the rural population. †3. transitive. To bestow (a gift, etc.) on or upon a person. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] forgivec900 giveOE besetc1230 deala1250 i-yevec1275 to give (requite, etc.) into one's bosomc1386 yarka1400 wevec1400 yatec1400 administera1425 bequeathc1440 employa1492 exhibit1548 communicate1553 endue1587 cast1612 hand1650 to lay on1942 a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) ii. f. cclxxvi/2 He myght erre, in estemyng the almesse to be better employed [Fr. employee] on his syster, than to the other persone. a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 128 The oblacions and the sacrifices wer employed upon the ministres of the temple. 1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Fi Melchisedech..employing upon Abraham bred and wyne. a1592 R. Greene Sc. Hist. Iames IV (1598) i. sig. B2 What reward..May I imploy on you for this your zeale? 4. a. transitive. To use the services of (a person) to undertake a task, carry out work, etc. In later use chiefly: to hire or retain (a person) to do something in return for wages or payment, esp. to hire or retain (a person) to do work under an employment contract. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > service > serve [verb (transitive)] > have services of to have retinue of1491 employ1523 command1575 society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ > retain in one's service employ1523 entertain1549 to have (one) in fee1756 society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ hirec1000 i-bye10.. i-hirec1000 soldc1386 takea1400 retain1437 wage1465 conduct1476 fee1488 conduce1502 implya1533 entertain1572 enter1585 wager1592 to fill up1598 to take on1611 improve1640 to speak for ——a1688 employa1727 engage1753 ploy1871 to turn on1893 to book up1915 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. li^v/2 It was thought nat beste to enploy his [sc. the Earl of Derby's] people there in that ieopardy. 1586 in Lett. & Papers Ld. Gray (1835) 97 The master hath remayned in hope to be ymployed in that seruice. 1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream i. i. 124 I must employ you in some businesse, Against our nuptiall. View more context for this quotation 1621 R. Speght Mortalities Memorandum 37 To thinke, not one of those, whome he imploy'd, Should be aliue within one hundred yeares. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §2 Moses..writ as a person imployed by God. 1701 T. Brett Acct. Church-govt. vii. 108 Deacons never had Cure of Souls: Neither were they employed by Fabianus to teach and instruct the People. a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) ii. 224 Cinyras..imployed workmen in making armour. 1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. lix. 264 Let us employ these men in whatever departments their various abilities are best suited to. 1798 W. Atkinson Oblique View Grand Conspiracy Pref. p. v Numerous agitators..have been imployed by the conspirators to mislead the public mind. 1801 National Intelligencer & Washington Advertiser 12 Jan. I do hereby forwarn any person from harbouring or imploying said girl at their peril. 1872 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 206 Scott & Co., employing nine men six months. 1872 J. Morley Voltaire iv. 152 Lessing,..was employed by Voltaire..in the..Hirschel case. 1910 E. M. Forster Howards End xxxiii. 273 He was strongly against employing the local man whom he had previously recommended. 1941 Speculum 16 502 The youth employs a go-between to bring about a meeting. 2001 M. Steel Reasons to be Cheerful i. 13 He employed three mechanics, whose job was to retune and perfect Brise's rally car. †b. transitive. spec. To send (a person) to a person or place with a special task or commission. Frequently with to, into, etc. Also to employ out. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > delegated authority > investing with delegated authority > vest authority in a person [verb (transitive)] > send on mission or as delegate sendc950 commissionate1587 attorneya1616 employa1616 to send in legation1649 commission1652 mission1692 a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iii. 61 We shall haue neede T' employ you towards this Romane. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) v. ii. 69 To Cæsar I will speake, what you shall please, If you'l imploy me to him. View more context for this quotation 1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. iii. vi. 284 Publius Seruilius was employd out against them. 1650 J. Howell tr. A. Giraffi Exact Hist. Late Revol. Naples 56 He imployed besides into the Castle three Gentlemen of speciall parts. 1687 W. Penn Good Advice to Church of Eng. 22 Bishop Usher was Employ'd to O. Cromwell by some of the Clergy. 1742 J. Anderson Geneal. Hist. House of Yvery I. iv. ix. 272 This John..employed into Ireland, upon the King's special Service. †II. To imply (in various senses of the verb). 5. transitive. To include or contain implicitly; to imply; to signify. Cf. imply v. 2, 3. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > mean [verb (transitive)] meaneOE beholdc1175 spele?c1225 bemeana1300 amountc1300 willa1382 import1425 employ1528 intend?c1530 would say1564 understand1617 spella1661 the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > incorporate or include [verb (transitive)] beclipc1230 beshut1340 contain1340 comprehendc1374 continue1377 begripe1393 close1393 incorpor1398 conceive?c1400 includec1475 engrossa1500 complect1523 conclude?1523 employ1528 to take in1534 retain1577 surmise1578 imprehend1590 immerse1605 comprise1651 involve1651 complexa1657 embrace1697 incorporate1824 embody1847 cover1868 1528 E. Foxe in N. Pocock Rec. Reformation (1870) I. liii. 143 The causes..imployed so manifest justness. a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) i. vi. sig. B.ii^v We must expresse or imploy a condicion therein. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 31 Which wordes do employ nothyng els, but that [etc.]. 1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles in Plays (1873) I. 134 Fortunio welcome, And in that welcome I imploy your wiues. 1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 129 Passed a decree, that the day on which hee beganne his Empire should be called Palilia, imploying thereby..a second foundation of the Cittie. 1629 Vse of Law 36 in J. Doddridge Lawyers Light Which interest of marriage went still imployed..in every tenure called Knights service. 6. transitive. To enclose, encircle. Cf. imply v. 1. Obsolete. rare.In quot. as part of an extended metaphor. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] befong971 beclipc1000 begoc1000 belieOE bestandc1000 to go about ——OE umbegangc1200 behema1250 befallc1275 berunc1275 girdc1290 bihalvena1300 umlapa1300 umlaya1300 umlouka1300 umbegoc1300 belayc1320 halsea1340 enclose1340 umbelapa1350 embracec1360 betrendc1374 circlec1374 umbecasta1375 to give about1382 environa1393 umbeclipa1395 compassa1400 encircle?a1400 enourle?a1400 umbegivea1400 umbeseta1400 umbeliec1400 umbetighc1400 enroundc1420 measurec1425 umbsteadc1450 adviron?1473 purprise1481 umbeviron1489 belta1500 girtha1500 overgirda1500 engirt15.. envirea1513 round?a1513 brace1513 umbereach1513 becompass1520 circuea1533 girtc1540 umbsetc1540 circule1553 encompass1555 circulate?a1560 ingyre1568 to do about1571 engird1573 circumdate1578 succinge1578 employ1579 circuate1581 girdle1582 wheel1582 circumgyre1583 enring1589 ringa1592 embail1593 enfold1596 invier1596 stem1596 circumcingle1599 ingert1599 engirdle1602 circulize1603 circumscribe1605 begirt1608 to go round1610 enwheela1616 surround1616 shingle1621 encirculize1624 circumviron1632 beround1643 orba1644 circumference1646 becircle1648 incircuitc1650 circumcinge1657 circumtend1684 besiege1686 cincture1789 zone1795 cravat1814 encincture1820 circumvent1824 begirdle1837 perambulate1863 cordon1891 1579 Poore Knight his Pallace B^v Crabbed Care, imployd with streekes of red. †III. To supply. 7. transitive. = supply v.¹ 1a. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything feather?c1225 serve?c1225 astore1297 purveya1325 purveyc1325 warnishc1330 supply1384 bego1393 garnish?a1400 stuff14.. instore1432 relievec1480 providec1485 appurvey1487 support?1507 furnishc1515 repair1518 supply1529 speed1531 help (a person) to (also with)1569 sort1598 suffice1600 enduea1616 starta1640 employ1690 find1713 to fix out1725 issue1737 service1969 1690 J. Child Disc. Trade ix. 145 It employs the Nation for its Consumption, with Pepper, Indico, Calicoes. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1653v.1429
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