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embrace
9 dictionary results for: embrace
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
em·brace1       [em-breys] Pronunciation Key verb, -braced, -brac·ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1.to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug.
2.to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea.
3.to avail oneself of: to embrace an opportunity.
4.to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.): to embrace Buddhism.
5.to take in with the eye or the mind.
6.to encircle; surround; enclose.
7.to include or contain: An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects.
–verb (used without object)
8.to join in an embrace.
–noun
9.an act or instance of embracing.
[Origin: 1300–50; ME < AF, OF embracier, equiv. to em- em-1 + bracier to embrace, deriv. of brace the two arms; see brace]

—Related forms
em·brace·a·ble, adjective
em·brace·ment, noun
em·brac·er, noun

—Synonyms 2. adopt, espouse, welcome. 3. seize. 7. comprise, cover, embody. See include.
—Antonyms 7. exclude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
em·brace2       [em-breys] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object), -braced, -brac·ing. Law.
to attempt to influence (a judge or jury) through corrupt means.
[Origin: 1400–1450; late ME: to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury), perh. the same word as embrace1, influenced by embrasen to set on fire (< MF embraser; see em-1, braise)]

—Related forms
em·brac·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
em·brace       (ěm-brās')  Pronunciation Key 
v.   em·braced, em·brac·ing, em·brac·es

v.   tr.
  1. To clasp or hold close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection.
    1. To surround; enclose: We allowed the warm water to embrace us.
    2. To twine around: a trellis that was embraced by vines.
  3. To include as part of something broader. See Synonyms at include.
  4. To take up willingly or eagerly: embrace a social cause.
  5. To avail oneself of: "I only regret, in my chilled age, certain occasions and possibilities I didn't embrace" (Henry James).

v.   intr.
To join in an embrace.

n.  
  1. An act of holding close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection; a hug.
  2. An enclosure or encirclement: caught in the jungle's embrace.
  3. Eager acceptance: your embrace of Catholicism.


[Middle English embracen, from Old French embracer : en-, in; see en-1 + brace, the two arms; see brace.]

em·brace'a·ble adj., em·brace'ment n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
embrace 
c.1300, from O.Fr. embracer "clasp in the arms, enclose," from en- "in" + brace "the arms," from L. bracchium (neut. pl. brachia). Replaced O.E. clyppan, also fæðm.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
embrace

noun
1. the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection) 
2. the state of taking in or encircling; "an island in the embrace of the sea" 
3. a close affectionate and protective acceptance; "his willing embrace of new ideas"; "in the bosom of the family" 

verb
1. include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory; "This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds"; "this should cover everyone in the group" 
2. squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness; "Hug me, please"; "They embraced"; "He hugged her close to him" 
3. take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own; "She embraced Catholicism"; "They adopted the Jewish faith" [syn: espouse] 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Embrace

Em*brace"\, v. t. [Pref. em- (intens.) + brace, v. t.] To fasten on, as armor. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Embrace

Em*brace"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embraced; p. pr. & vb. n. Embracing.] [OE. embracier, F. embrasser; pref. em- (L. in) + F. bras arm. See Brace, n.]

1. To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

I will embrace him with a soldier's arm, That he shall shrink under my courtesy. --Shak.

Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them. --Acts xx. 1.

2. To cling to; to cherish; to love. --Shak.

3. To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome. "I embrace these conditions." "You embrace the occasion." --Shak.

What is there that he may not embrace for truth? --Locke.

4. To encircle; to encompass; to inclose.

Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed, Between the mountain and the stream embraced. --Denham.

5. To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in; as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.

Not that my song, in such a scanty space, So large a subject fully can embrace. --Dryden.

6. To accept; to undergo; to submit to. "I embrace this fortune patiently." --Shak.

7. (Law) To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court. --Blackstone.

Syn: To clasp; hug; inclose; encompass; include; ??omprise; comprehend; contain; involve; impl???

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Embrace

Em*brace"\, v. i. To join in an embrace.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Embrace

Em*brace"\, n. Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug.

We stood tranced in long embraces, Mixed with kisses. --Tennyson.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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