I. ə̇mˈbrās, em- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English embracen, from Middle French embracer, from Old French embracier, from em- en- (I) + brace two arms — more at brace
transitive verb
1.
a. : to clasp in the arms usually as a gesture of affection : hug
b. : to copulate with
c. archaic : to greet or salute by clasping in the arms
2. : encircle , enclose , encompass
a quiet valley embraced by dark forests
the strong walls that embrace the city
3. archaic : to take in hand or under consideration : undertake
4. : to receive or take up especially readily or gladly: as
a. : to come to believe in and seek to further, defend, support, or join willingly
a cause which is embraced and cherished by so vast a portion of American society — Kenneth Roberts
finally he embraced his father's religion and politics and settled down to be a country gentleman
b. : to welcome or accept eagerly : attach oneself to : avail oneself of readily
this life secured for the mind of him who embraced it the inestimable advantages of solitude and silence — Joseph Conrad
an instructor should embrace every opportunity to prepare himself — C.H.Grandgent
ready to embrace the hard life of a pioneer
5. : to attempt to or act so as to influence (as a jury or court) corruptly
6. : to take in : enfold , include , cover : treat as part, item, or phase of a larger whole ; sometimes : to be equal or equivalent to : total to
called Summae, as their scope embraced the entire contents of the faith — H.O.Taylor
my financial assets which embraced a few hundred dollars … as my immediate assets — Herbert Hoover
intransitive verb
: to participate in an embrace
embracing tearfully before they parted
Synonyms: see adopt , include
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a close encircling with the arms and pressure to the bosom especially as a mark of affection or passion
rushed to the comforting embrace of his mother's arms
a quick embrace full of love and despair
b. : copulation ; broadly : any close physical relation designed to ensure fertilization of eggs
the amplectic embrace of amphibians
c. : a clasping with the forelimbs when in conflict — used especially of an animal
the grim embrace of the grizzly bear
2. : encirclement , enclosure , grip
helpless in the embrace of terror
a valley lying in the embrace of wooded hills
3. : acceptance especially with favor or approbation
his ready embrace of Communist doctrine
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: en- (I) + brace (n.)
obsolete : to fasten (as armor) with or as if with a brace or buckle