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Webster 1913 Edition


Embrace

Em-brace′

(ĕm-brās′)
,
Verb.
T.
[Pref.
em-
(intens.) +
brace
, v. t.]
To fasten on, as armor.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

Em-brace′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Embraced
(ĕm-brāst′)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Embracing
(ĕm-brā′sĭng)
.]
[OE.
embracier
, F.
embrasser
; pref.
em-
(L.
in
) + F.
bras
arm. See
Brace
,
Noun.
]
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.
Shakespeare
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.
Syn. – To clasp; hug; inclose; encompass; include; comprise; comprehend; contain; involve; imply.

Em-brace′

,
Verb.
I.
To join in an embrace.

Em-brace′

,
Noun.
Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug.
We stood tranced in long
embraces
,
Mixed with kisses.
Tennyson.

Webster 1828 Edition


Embrace

EMBRA'CE

, v.t.
1.
To take, clasp or inclose in the arms; to press to the bosom, in token of affection.
Paul called to him the disciples and embraced them. Act.20.
2.
To seize eagerly; to lay hold on; to receive or take with willingness that which is offered; as, to embrace the christian religion; to embrace the opportunity of doing a favor.
3.
To comprehend; to include or take in; as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
4.
To comprise; to inclose;to encompass; to contain; to encircle.
Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed,
Between the mountain and the stream embraced.
5.
To receive; to admit.
6.
To find; to take; to accept.
Fleance--must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour.
7.
To have carnal intercourse with.
8.
To put on.
9.
To attempt to influence a jury corruptly.

EMBRA'CE

,
Verb.
I.
To join in an embrace.

EMBRA'CE

,
Noun.
Inclosure or clasp with the arms; pressure to the bosom with the arms.
1.
Reception of one thing into another.
2.
Sexual intercourse; conjugal endearment.

Definition 2024


embrace

embrace

English

Alternative forms

Verb

embrace (third-person singular simple present embraces, present participle embracing, simple past and past participle embraced)

  1. To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
    • Shakespeare
      I will embrace him with a soldier's arm, / That he shall shrink under my courtesy.
    • Bible, Acts xx. 1
      Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them.
  2. (obsolete) To cling to; to cherish; to love.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
  3. To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.
    I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.
    • Shakespeare
      You embrace the occasion.
    • John Locke
      What is there that he may not embrace for truth?
  4. To accept; to undergo; to submit to.
    • Shakespeare
      I embrace this fortune patiently.
  5. To encircle; to encompass; to enclose.
    • Dryden
      Not that my song, in such a scanty space, / So large a subject fully can embrace.
    • Denham
      Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed, / Between the mountain and the stream embraced.
  6. (figurative) To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
    Natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
  7. To fasten on, as armour.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Spenser to this entry?)
  8. (law) To attempt to influence (a jury, court, etc.) corruptly.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Blackstone to this entry?)

Synonyms

Translations

Noun

embrace (plural embraces)

  1. Hug (noun); putting arms around someone.
    • 1907, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “chapter I”, in The Younger Set (Project Gutenberg; EBook #14852), New York, N.Y.: A. L. Burt Company, published 1 February 2005 (Project Gutenberg version), OCLC 4241346:
      [] a delighted shout from the children swung him toward the door again. His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. "Phil!  You!  Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodesdear fellow!" recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.
  2. (metaphorical) Enfolding, including.

Translations