The term “employed” is used in literature with remarkable flexibility, serving both literal and metaphorical roles. At times, it denotes the straightforward use or allocation of something—whether referring to a practical method, as in engineering calculations [1] or military maneuvers [2], or to the direct engagement of people in work or service [3, 4]. In other instances, it signals a more abstract notion of elements being put into use, such as the careful application of language to support an argument or the creative deployment of a narrative technique [5, 6, 7]. Even when describing personal activities or assignments—like a clerk’s work or a character’s self-directed endeavors [8, 9]—“employed” lends a formal quality that enriches the text’s tone. This versatility makes the word a valuable literary tool across genres, from academic treatises to novels and historical accounts.