What is "to employ one's self"

Employ \Em*ploy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Employed; p. pr. & vb. n. Employing.] [F. employer, fr. L. implicare to fold into, infold, involve, implicate, engage; in + plicare to fold. See Ply, and cf. Imply, Implicate.]

1. To inclose; to infold. [Obs.]
   --Chaucer.

2. To use; to have in service; to cause to be engaged in doing something; -- often followed by in, about, on, or upon, and sometimes by to; as:

   1. To make use of, as an instrument, a means, a material, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ the pen in writing, bricks in building, words and phrases in speaking; to employ the mind; to employ one's energies.

      This is a day in which the thoughts . . . ought to be employed on serious subjects.
      --Addison.

   2. To occupy; as, to employ time in study.

   3. To have or keep at work; to give employment or occupation to; to intrust with some duty or behest; as, to employ a hundred workmen; to employ an envoy.

      Jonathan . . . and Jahaziah . . . were employed about this matter.
      --Ezra x. 15.

      Thy vineyard must employ the sturdy steer To turn the glebe.
      --Dryden.

      To employ one's self, to apply or devote one's time and attention; to busy one's self.

      Syn: To use; busy; apply; exercise; occupy; engross; engage. See Use.