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tr.v. en·grossed, en·gross·ing, en·gross·es 1. To occupy exclusively; absorb: a novel that engrosses every reader. 2. To acquire most or all of (a commodity); monopolize (a market). 3. a. To write or transcribe in a large, clear hand. b. To write or print the final draft of (an official document). [Middle English engrossen, to collect in large quantity, monopolize, from Old French engrossier, from en gros, in large quantity : en, in (from Latin in; see IN-2) + gros, large; see GROSS. Sense 3, from Middle English engrossen, to make a finished copy of a legal document, from Anglo-Norman engrosser, from Medieval Latin ingrossāre : Latin in-, in; see EN-1 + grossa, a copy in a large hand (from Late Latin grossus, thick).] en·grosser n. en·grossment n. Synonyms: engross, absorb, consume, preoccupy These verbs mean to possess or control exclusively: Her reading engrosses her. Studying absorbs all my time. Fear has consumed her. Financial worries preoccupied him. |
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