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the safe transmission of secrets; also, a writing in such characters. His father . . . engaged him when he was very young to write all his letters to England in cipher. Bp. Burnet. Cipher key, a key to assist in reading writings in cipher.

To clear for action (Naut.), to remove incumbrances from the decks, and prepare for an engagement. -- To clear the land (Naut.), to gain such a distance from shore as to have sea room, and be out of danger from the land. -- To clear hawse (Naut.), to disentangle the cables when twisted. -- To clear up, to explain;…

int of a cogwell tooth and the bottom of a space between teeth of a wheel with which it engages. Clearance space (Steam engine), the space inclosed in one end of the cylinder, between the valve or valves and the piston, at the beginning of a stroke; waste room. It includes the space caused by the piston's clearance and…

with loopholes, formerly erected on the deck of a vessel to shelter the men in a close engagement with an enemy's boarders; -- called also close quarters. [Obs.]

hich is used for coupling shafting, etc., so as to transmit motion, and which may be disengaged at pleasure.

A vessel employed in sailing along a coast, or engaged in the coasting trade.

That part of a war vessel appropriated to the wounded during an engagement.

To engage in continuous thought; to think. He that calleth a thing into his mind, whether by impression or recordation, cogitateth and considereth, and he that employeth the faculty of his fancy also cogitateth. Bacon.

- To slip the collar, to get free; to disentangle one's self from difficulty, labor, or engagement. Spenser.

A collection, body, or society of persons engaged in common pursuits, or having common duties and interests, and sometimes, by charter, peculiar rights and privileges; as, a college of heralds; a college of electors; a college of bishops. The college of the cardinals. Shak. Then they made colleges of sufferers; persons…

One engaged in the business of digging mineral coal or making charcoal, or in transporting or dealing in coal.

An engagement of no great magnitude; or one in which the parties engaged are not armies. Single combat, one in which a single combatant meets a single opponent, as in the case of David and Goliath; also a duel.

One who engages in combat. "The mighty combatants." Milton. A controversy which long survived the original combatants. Macaulay

the act of exposing, endangering, or compromising; also, the state of being pledged or engaged. Hamilton.

contest; rivalry, as for approbation, for a prize, or as where two or more persons are engaged in the same business and each seeking patronage; -- followed by for before the object sought, and with before the person or thing competed with. Competition to the crown there is none, nor can be. Bacon. A portrait, with whi…

To engage by feeling or sentiment; to interest; as, a good prince concerns himself in the happiness of his subjects. They think themselves out the reach of Providence, and no longer concerned to solicit his favor. Rogers.

within which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are continuously secluded while engaged in choosing a pope.

ulay. Conduct money (Naut.), a portion of a seaman's wages retained till the end of his engagement, and paid over only if his conduct has been satisfactory.

United in a league; allied by treaty; engaged in a confederacy; banded together; allied. All the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. Shak.

To maintain a conflict; to contend; to engage in strife or opposition; to struggle.