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

With the fashion industry promoting more diverse looks and embracing older models, scammers have found a new target: older people like Judy.

From BBC

He hopes people are embracing the thriller elements of “Task,” of course.

From Salon

"There is no cure and that is why you have to be so militantly focused on just embracing and enjoying everything now," he said.

From BBC

But this is not a call to despair, or to embrace the comfort of learned helplessness or to take poison of hopium.

From Salon

This willingness to create controversy - if it wins attention and cuts through to the public - has been embraced by his party.

From BBC

Related Words

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