embody

American  

[em-bod-ee] / ɛmˈbɒd i /

verb (used with object)

embodied, embodying

1. to give a concrete form to; express, personify, or exemplify in concrete form.

   to embody an idea in an allegorical painting.

2. to provide with a body incarnate; make corporeal.

   to embody a spirit.

3. to collect into or include in a body; organize; incorporate.

4. to embrace or comprise.

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embody British  

/ ɪmˈbɒdɪ /

verb

1. to give a tangible, bodily, or concrete form to (an abstract concept)

2. to be an example of or express (an idea, principle, etc), esp in action

   his gentleness embodies a Christian ideal

3. (often foll by in) to collect or unite in a comprehensive whole, system, etc; comprise; include

   all the different essays were embodied in one long article

4. to invest (a spiritual entity) with a body or with bodily form; render incarnate

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Other Word Forms

• embodier noun
• embodiment noun
• preembody verb (used with object)
• reembody verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of embody

First recorded in 1540–50; em- ¹ + body

Example Sentences

The paper was "the zeitgeist of print", Rajan said in his tribute, and "embodied Thatcher's Britain - though not her politics".

From BBC

In sharing her experience, Dench embodies not only the personal toll of vision loss but the emotional weight of losing one’s ability to connect with others in the most human way: face to face.

From Salon

This hoary habit embodies the conservative philosophy of family life.

From The Wall Street Journal

"In recent years, driven by innovation and increased demand, humanoid robotics representing the scale of the embodied intelligence industry is seeing explosive growth," Li said Thursday.

From Barron's

"But the protest embodies an idea. And ideas live through decades, through centuries."

From BBC

Related Words

• demonstrate
• epitomize
• exemplify
• exhibit
• express
• illustrate
• incorporate
• manifest
• mirror
• personify
• realize
• stand for
• symbolize
• typify