Employ \Em*ploy"\, v. t. [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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)