Engross \En*gross"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Engrossed; p. pr. & vb. n. Engrossing.]

[F., fr. pref. en- (L. in) + gros gross, grosse, n., an engrossed document: cf. OF. engrossir, engroissier, to make thick, large, or gross. See Gross.]

1. To make gross, thick, or large; to thicken; to increase in bulk or quantity. [Obs.]

[1913 Webster]

Waves . . . engrossed with mud. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

Not sleeping, to engross his idle body. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. To amass. [Obs.]

[1913 Webster]

To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. To copy or write in a large hand (en gross, i. e., in large); to write a fair copy of in distinct and legible characters; as, to engross a deed or like instrument on parchment. [1913 Webster]

Some period long past, when clerks engrossed their stiff and formal chirography on more substantial materials. --Hawthorne. [1913 Webster]

Laws that may be engrossed on a finger nail. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]

4. To seize in the gross; to take the whole of; to occupy the attention completely; to absorb; as, the subject engrossed all his thoughts. [1913 Webster]

5. To purchase either the whole or large quantities of, for the purpose of enhancing the price and making a profit; hence, to take or assume in undue quantity, proportion, or degree; as, to engross commodities in market; to engross power. [1913 Webster]

Engrossed bill (Legislation), one which has been plainly engrossed on parchment, with all its amendments, preparatory to final action on its passage.

Engrossing hand (Penmanship), a fair, round style of writing suitable for engrossing legal documents, legislative bills, etc.

Syn: To absorb; swallow up; imbibe; consume; exhaust; occupy; forestall; monopolize. See Absorb. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

engrossing \engrossing\ adj. capable of holding the attention completely; very interesting.

Syn: absorbing, fascinating, gripping, riveting. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

26 Moby Thesaurus words for "engrossing": absorbing, all-consuming, arresting, attractive, consuming, controlling, enchanting, engaging, enthralling, exciting, fascinating, gripping, holding, hypnotic, interesting, intriguing, magnetic, mesmeric, mesmerizing, monopolizing, obsessing, obsessive, preoccupying, provoking, spellbinding, stimulating

Source: Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
 

engrossing adj : capable of arousing and holding the attention; "a fascinating story" [syn: absorbing, fascinating, gripping, riveting]

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Engross \En*gross"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Engrossed; p. pr. & vb. n. Engrossing.]

[F., fr. pref. en- (L. in) + gros gross, grosse, n., an engrossed document: cf. OF. engrossir, engroissier, to make thick, large, or gross. See Gross.]

1. To make gross, thick, or large; to thicken; to increase in bulk or quantity. [Obs.]

Waves . . . engrossed with mud. --Spenser.

Not sleeping, to engross his idle body. --Shak.

2. To amass. [Obs.]

To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf. --Shak.

3. To copy or write in a large hand (en gross, i. e., in large); to write a fair copy of in distinct and legible characters; as, to engross a deed or like instrument on parchment.

Some period long past, when clerks engrossed their stiff and formal chirography on more substantial materials. --Hawthorne.

Laws that may be engrossed on a finger nail. --De Quincey.

4. To seize in the gross; to take the whole of; to occupy wholly; to absorb; as, the subject engrossed all his thoughts.

5. To purchase either the whole or large quantities of, for the purpose of enhancing the price and making a profit; hence, to take or assume in undue quantity, proportion, or degree; as, to engross commodities in market; to engross power.

Engrossed bill (Legislation), one which has been plainly engrossed on parchment, with all its amendments, preparatory to final action on its passage.

Engrossing hand (Penmanship), a fair, round style of writing suitable for engrossing legal documents, legislative bills, etc.

Syn: To absorb; swallow up; imbibe; consume; exhaust; occupy; forestall; monopolize. See Absorb.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)