August 18, 2004, 20:36
KallehEngrossed
My logophile friend sent me this interesting discussion of
engrossed.Apparently, it comes from the Latin word,
ingrossare, meaning to write in large letters. The French have a similar word,
en gros, which has gone through several meanings, to buy up, to monopolize, and then to make full use, as in making full use of your mind or being focused.
Have you ever known
engrossed to mean write in large letters?
August 19, 2004, 06:30
arnieIt survives in a legal context. When documents are written out they are
engrossed.
Dictionary.com gives a number of definitions, including:
quote:
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.