embrace

1
[ em-breys ]
/ ɛmˈbreɪs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR embrace ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.

verb (used without object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.

to join in an embrace.

noun

an act or instance of embracing.

QUIZZES

HEED THE VOX POPULI, AND TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Test your memory on these verbal firecrackers from the week of June 29 to July 5!
Question 1 of 7
anchorite
a granular metamorphic rock.
a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.
a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of embrace

1
1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French embracier, equivalent to em- em-1 + bracier to embrace, derivative of brace the two arms; see brace

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brace·a·ble, adjectiveem·brace·ment, nounem·brac·er, nounun·em·brace·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby embrace

embow, embowed, embowel, embower, emboîté, embrace, embraceor, embracery, embracive, embranchment, embrangle

Definition for embrace (2 of 2)

embrace2
[ em-breys ]
/ ɛmˈbreɪs /

verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing. Law.

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

Origin of embrace

2
1400–1450; late Middle English: to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury), perhaps the same word as embrace1, influenced by embrasen to set on fire (< Middle French embraser; see em-1, braise)

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brac·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to embrace

grasp, adopt, receive, welcome, accept, have, espouse, embody, nuzzle, lock, clinch, fold, wrap, fondle, cradle, cling, entwine, snuggle, grip, encircle

Example sentences from the Web for embrace

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (1 of 2)

embrace1
/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /

verb (mainly tr)

noun

the act of embracing
(often plural) euphemistic sexual intercourse

Derived forms of embrace

embraceable, adjectiveembracement, nounembracer, noun

Word Origin for embrace

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

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

embrace2
/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /

verb

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

Word Origin for embrace

C15: back formation from embraceor
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012