Also 7–8 imploy. [ad. F. emploi, n. of action f. employer to EMPLOY; = Sp. empleo, It. impiego.]
† 1. The action of employing a person or making use of a thing; = EMPLOYMENT 1. Obs.
1666. Evelyn, Mem. (1807), III. 184. Employ of chirurgeons.
a. 1694. A. Littleton, in Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. xv. 5. The drone without a sting … wanting a tool for employ.
1829. Southey, Sir T. More, ii. 76. The application of gunpowder … was not brought into full employ, even after [etc.].
2. The state or fact of being employed; esp. that of serving an employer for wages. In phrases, In, out of, employ; in the employ of (the person employing).
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xliii. 432. The first mention I meet with of Thomas Sampson in publick Employ.
1713. Guardian, No. 158. We are obliged by duty to keep ourselves in constant employ.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Homes Abroad, ix. 114. New comers of their craft, or in their employ.
1841. Miall, Nonconf., I. 391. Operatives out of employ.
1885. Act 48 & 49. Vict., c. 56. Preamb., To permit electors in his regular employ to absent themselves.
3. Something on which a person or thing is employed; an employment, occupation. Now poet. or arch.
1680. Sir E. King, in Academy, 15 May, 502/2. A better employ to exercise his courage.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, iv. 64. Peter put these bulls on several employs.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., II. s.v. Tree, Drunken Fellows … uncapable of so judicious Imploy.
1829. C. Welch, Wesl. Polity, 89. An assiduity worthy of a better employ.
1877. M. Arnold, Poems, II. 89. The wind-borne, mirroring soul … leaves its last employ.
† b. A regular business or occupation; a trade or profession. Obs.
1678. Bunyan, Pilgr., I. (1862), 114. To have but a poor imploy in the world.
1697. Potter, Antiq. Greece, I. xxvi. (1715), 169. That Ferry-man shall be prohibited the exercise of his employ, who overturns his Boat.
1771. Wesley, Wks., 1872, V. 297. Neglect of the worldly employ wherein … God has placed us.
1795. J. Aikin, Manchester, 238. From this variety of employ, population has more than doubled since 1772.
† c. An official position in the public service.
1691. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), II. 210. Being putt out of an employ … at the custome house at Newcastle.
1691. Ray, Creation, II. (1704), 241. Great Commands & Employs in the Dutch Colonies.
a. 1734. North, Lives (1826), I. 76. Another employ fell to his lordship’s share.
1821. Byron, Mar. Fal., II. i. 113. The wariest of republics Has lavish’d all its chief employs upon him.
