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

Hawa and Anaiya explained how their husbands have embraced their desire to better themselves through the classes at the Pakistani Community Centre, which they said had helped them both physically and mentally.

From BBC

The only way to close that door is with our collective strength, undivided by the kind of “common sense” discrimination that men like Kavanaugh embrace.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s fun being able to go to the very edge of your emotional capacity in a very safe, fun, embracing environment,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

“The defensive line is deep. They embrace the grind and play for each other.”

From Los Angeles Times

Once a cultural lodestar, Ye now occupies a far more polarizing place: embraced by a loyal fringe, shunned by former collaborators and largely exiled from mainstream music and fashion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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