Does the phrase "engage with" imply anything about power differences?

Solution 1:

Engage in modern times no longer holds any real idea surrounding power difference - you can see from the basic definition on google:

1. Occupy, attract, or involve (someone's interest or attention).
2. Participate or become involved in.

But it is definitely rooted in the idea. You start to see this in the 2nd and 3rd definition from Merriam Webster:

2 a obsolete : to entangle or entrap in or as if in a snare or bog b : to attract and hold by influence or power c : to interlock with : MESH also : to cause (mechanical parts) to mesh engage the clutch

3: to bind (someone, such as oneself) to do something especially : to bind by a pledge to marry

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engage

The word originates from Old French Engagier, which means 'to pledge', which further brings power into the picture.

Further breaking up the word, the idea of a power difference becomes even more relevant.

The prefix 'En' starts innocently enough:

..general sense “to cause (a person or thing) to be in” the place, condition, or state named by the stem;

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/en-

But then when you consider the word 'gage', the idea of a challenge or power difference becomes even more clear.

Gage

1. something, as a glove, thrown down by a medieval knight in token of challenge to combat.

2. Archaic. a challenge.

3. Archaic. a pledge or pawn; security.

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gage

So you could say while the word no longer carries these meanings - it certainly seems to have strong roots surrounding power differences.