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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Employ \Em*ploy"\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Employed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Employing}.] [F. employer, fr. L. implicare to fold into, infold, involve, implicate, engage; in + plicare to fold. See {Ply}, and cf. {Imply}, {Implicate}.]
1. To inclose; to infold. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To use; to have in service; to cause to be engaged in doing something; -- often followed by in, about, on, or upon, and sometimes by to; as: (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means, a material, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ the pen in writing, bricks in building, words and phrases in speaking; to employ the mind; to employ one's energies.
This is a day in which the thoughts . . . ought to be employed on serious subjects. --Addison. (b) To occupy; as, to employ time in study. (c) To have or keep at work; to give employment or occupation to; to intrust with some duty or behest; as, to employ a hundred workmen; to employ an envoy.
Jonathan . . . and Jahaziah . . . were employed about this matter. --Ezra x. 15.
Thy vineyard must employ the sturdy steer To turn the glebe. --Dryden.
{To employ one's self}, to apply or devote one's time and attention; to busy one's self.
Syn: To use; busy; apply; exercise; occupy; engross; engage. See {Use}.
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