embrace

¹

[ em-breys ]

verb (used with object)

, em·braced, em·brac·ing.

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.

   Synonyms: welcome, espouse, adopt

3. to avail oneself of:

   to embrace an opportunity.

   Synonyms: seize

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:

   a secret garden embraced by wild shrubs.

7. to include or contain:

   An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects.

   Synonyms: embody, cover, comprise

   Antonyms: exclude

verb (used without object)

, em·braced, em·brac·ing.

1. to join in an embrace.

noun

1. an act or instance of embracing.

embrace

²

[ em-breys ]

verb (used with object)

, Law.

, em·braced, em·brac·ing.

1. to attempt to influence (a judge or jury) through corrupt means.

embrace

¹

/ ɪmˈbreɪs /

verb

1. tr criminal law to commit or attempt to commit embracery against (a jury, etc)

embrace

²

/ ɪmˈbreɪs /

verb

1. also intr (of a person) to take or clasp (another person) in the arms, or (of two people) to clasp each other, as in affection, greeting, etc; hug
2. to accept (an opportunity, challenge, etc) willingly or eagerly
3. to take up (a new idea, faith, etc); adopt

   to embrace Judaism

4. to comprise or include as an integral part

   geology embraces the science of mineralogy

5. to encircle or enclose

noun

1. the act of embracing
2. euphemistic.
   often plural sexual intercourse

Derived Forms

• emˈbraceable, adjective
• emˈbracement, noun
• emˈbracer, noun

Other Words From

• em·brace·a·ble adjective
• em·brace·ment noun
• em·brac·er noun
• un·em·brace·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embrace¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French embracier, equivalent to em- em- ¹ + bracier “to embrace,” derivative of brace “the two arms”; brace

Origin of embrace²

First recorded in 1420–1475; late Middle English: “to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury),” perhaps the same word as embrace ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of embrace¹

C15: back formation from embraceor

Origin of embrace²

C14: from Old French embracier, from em- + brace a pair of arms, from Latin bracchia arms

Synonym Study

See include.

Example Sentences

Watching her husband embrace fatherhood has been “a gift,” Veronika said.

From Los Angeles Times

He also said the district is committed to cultivating a culture of respect where differences are embraced, every perspective heard and all voices valued.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, they’re filled with irritation at being told that embracing any traditional notions of masculinity and femininity marks them as insecure, infuriated misogynists.

From Salon

Country music has been enjoying a resurgence lately, with artists such as Beyoncé embracing the genre.

From BBC

When the two met for the first time in the halls of the Institute, they immediately embraced, writes Zeldovich.

From Salon

Related Words

• hug
• squeeze