verb (used with object)
- to occupy completely, as the mind or attention; absorb: Their discussion engrossed his attention. She is engrossed in her work.
- to write or copy in a clear, attractive, large script or in a formal manner, as a public document or record: to engross a deed.
- to acquire the whole of (a commodity), in order to control the market; monopolize.
verb (tr)
- to occupy one’s attention completely; absorb
- to write or copy (manuscript) in large legible handwriting
- law to write or type out formally (a deed, agreement, or other document) preparatory to execution
- another word for corner (def. 21b)
c.1400, “to buy up the whole stock of” (in Anglo-French from c.1300), from Old French en gros “in bulk, in a large quantity, at wholesale,” as opposed to en detail. See gross.
Figurative sense of “absorb the whole attention” is first attested 1709. A parallel engross, meaning “to write (something) in large letters,” is from Anglo-French engrosser, from Old French en gros “in large (letters).” Related: Engrossed; engrossing.