involve: Meaning and Definition of

in•volve

Pronunciation: (in-volv'), [key]
— -volved, -volv•ing.
  1. to include as a necessary circumstance, condition, or consequence; imply; entail: This job involves long hours and hard work.
  2. to engage or employ.
  3. to affect, as something within the scope of operation.
  4. to include, contain, or comprehend within itself or its scope.
  5. to bring into an intricate or complicated form or condition.
  6. to bring into difficulties (usually fol. by with): a plot to involve one nation in a war with another.
  7. to cause to be troublesomely associated or concerned, as in something embarrassing or unfavorable: Don't involve me in your quarrel!
  8. to combine inextricably (usually fol. by with).
  9. to implicate, as in guilt or crime, or in any matter or affair.
  10. to engage the interests or emotions or commitment of: to become involved in the disarmament movement; to become involved with another woman.
  11. to preoccupy or absorb fully (usually used passively or reflexively): You are much too involved with the problem to see it clearly.
  12. to envelop or enfold, as if with a wrapping.
  13. to swallow up, engulf, or overwhelm.
    1. Archaic.to roll, surround, or shroud, as in a wrapping.
    2. to roll up on itself; wind spirally; coil; wreathe.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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