Em*ploy",n. [Cf. F.emploi.]That which engages or occupies a person; fixed or regularservice or business; employment.

The wholeemploy of body and ofmind.

In one's employ,in one's service.

Em*ploy" (?),v. t. [imp. & p.p.Employed (?);p. pr. & vb. n.Employing.] [F.employer, fr. L.implicare tofold into, infold, involve, implicate, engage;in + plicareto fold. SeePly, and cf.Imply,Implicate.]1.To inclose; to infold. [Obs.]Chaucer.

2.To use; to have in service; to cause to beengaged in doing something; -- often followed byin,about,on, orupon, and sometimes byto;as:(a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means, amaterial, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, toemploy the pen in writing, bricks in building, words andphrases in speaking; toemploy the mind; toemployone's energies.

This is a day in which the thoughts . . . ought to beemployed on serious subjects.

(b)To occupy; as, toemploy time instudy.(c)To have or keep at work; togive employment or occupation to; to intrust with some duty orbehest; as, toemploy a hundred workmen; toemploy anenvoy.

Jonathan . . . and Jahaziah . . . wereemployedabout this matter.

Thy vineyard mustemploy the sturdy steer
To turn the glebe.

To employ one's self,to apply or devoteone's time and attention; to busy one's self.

Syn. -- To use; busy; apply; exercise; occupy; engross;engage. SeeUse.