verb
engross
in-GROHSS/ɪnˈɡrəʊs/
To hold someone's full attention.
The book engrosses the man so completely that he misses his colleague's wave.
Etymology
Old French en gros meant “in bulk”: engross first meant buying up an entire stock. That idea of taking the whole supply became a metaphor for occupying all someone's attention.
In context
the wittiest man becomes tedious and ill-bred when he Endeavors to engross entirely the attention of the company in which he should take a more Modest part avoid set phrases
More examples
- She is so engrossed in painting that she misses lunch.
- Intricate puzzles engross him more than simple games do.
- The documentary engrossed us from beginning to end.
Forms
engross · engrosses · engrossed · engrossing