[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That engrosses.
1. † a. That claims a large share; presumptuous, pretentious (obs. rare).
a. 1797. H. Walpole, Mem. Geo. III. (1845), I. vi. 84. A term so engrossing gave offence and handle to ridicule.
b. That fully occupies or absorbs the attention, faculties, etc.
1820. Scott, Abbot, i. The engrossing nature of his occupation.
1825. Lytton, Falkland, 20. I had one deep, engrossing, yearning desire.
1875. Helps, Ess., Aids Contentm., 12. An alternation of the engrossing pursuit.
† 2. That makes gross or brutish. Obs. rare.
a. 1626. Bp. Andrewes, Serm., vi. Repentance & Fast., 147. The Devil’s only way, to rid Hypocrisie, by engrossing Epicurisme.
Hence Engrossingly adv., in an engrossing manner. Engrossingness, the quality of being engrossing.
1835. New Monthly Mag., XLIV. 6. I intend to surprise the world whenever politics … draw less engrossingly on its attention.
1857. Fraser’s Mag., LVI. 672/1. India has of late … engrossingly occupied the English mind.
1848. Tait’s Mag., XV. 682/1. They temper in his mind the engrossingness of present things.
