embrace

¹

[em-breys]

verb (used with object)

embraced, embracing 

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)

embraced, embracing 

1. to join in an embrace.

noun

1. an act or instance of embracing.

embrace

²

[em-breys]

verb (used with object)

Law.

embraced, embracing 

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

embrace

¹

/ 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

embrace

²

/ ɪmˈbreɪs /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• embraceable adjective
• embracement noun
• embracer noun
• unembraceable 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

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

Origin of embrace²

C15: back formation from _embraceor

Synonym Study

See include.

Example Sentences

Ripken shook hands with every player in the Angels dugout — ”And when does that happen?” he said on a Hall-of-Fame podcast — and shared a warm embrace with Angels hitting coach and Hall-of-Famer Rod Carew.

From Los Angeles Times

In the LP, which dropped on Valentine’s Day, he infused corridos with Chicano rap in the swaggering title track and embraced reggaeton in the playful “Loco.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m just embracing the ‘I don’t know,’ and also staying open for discovery.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite North Korea’s vocal embrace of the so-called “new Cold War” order, Russia and China have been reluctant to do the same, analysts said.

From Los Angeles Times

Let’s hear it for the soccer players embracing football as kickers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept 
• adopt 
• deal with 
• embody 
• espouse 
• have 
• receive 
• take advantage of 
• take up 
• welcome