En-grŏss', v. t.

[imp. & p. p. ENGROSSED (en-grŏst'); p. pr. & vb. n. ENGROSSING.] [Prefix en and gross, q. v.; Fr. engrossir, engrosser, engroisser, Pr. engrossar, Pg. engrossar, Sp. engrosar, It. ingrossare.]

1Sense 1. To make gross, thick, or large; to thicken; to increase in bulk or quantity. [Obs.] “Waves . . . engrossed with mud.” Spenser.

This they have engrossed and piled up. Shak.

2Sense 2. To copy in a large hand; to write a fair copy of in distinct and legible characters; as, to engross a deed or like instrument on parchment.

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

3Sense 3. To seize in the gross; to take the whole of; to occupy wholly; to absorb; as, the subject engrossed all his thoughts.

4Sense 4. To purchase either the whole or large quantities of, for the purpose of making a profit by enhancing the price; hence, to take or assume in undue quantity, proportion, or degree; as, to engross commodities in market; to engross power.

Synonyms—To absorb; swallow up; engulf; occupy; forestall; monopolize. See ABSORB.