embrace Hear it!

embrace¹ Definition

em·brace (em brās′, im-)

transitive verb -·braced′, -·brac′·ing

  1. to clasp in the arms, usually as an expression of affection or desire; hug
  2. to accept readily; avail oneself of to embrace an opportunity
  3. to take up or adopt, esp. eagerly or seriously to embrace a new profession
  4. to encircle; surround; enclose an isle embraced by the sea
  5. to include; contain biology embraces botany and zoology
  6. to take in mentally; perceive his glance embraced the scene

Etymology: ME embracen < OFr embracier < VL *imbrachiare < L im-, in + brachium, an arm: see brace

intransitive verb

to clasp or hug each other in the arms

noun

an embracing; hug

embrace¹ Related Forms
em·brace′·able adjective em·brace′·ment noun em·brac′er noun
embrace² Definition

em·brace (em brās′)

transitive verb -·braced′, -·brac′·ing

Law to try illegally to influence or instruct (a jury)

Etymology: ME embrasen < OFr embraser, to set on fire, incite < en-, in + braise, live coals: see braise

embrace Synonyms

embrace

v.

  1. To clasp

    hug, enfold, squeeze, grip; see hug.

  2. To adopt

    espouse, welcome, take advantage of; see adopt 2.

  3. To include

    contain, comprise, cover, encompass; see comprise, contain 1, include 1. See syn. study at include.

embrace Usage Examples

Object

  • diversity: Whether in industry or services, in the private or the public sector, large enterprises embrace the greatest diversity of workers.
  • Christianity: She was the daughter of a clergyman, but found it heard to embrace traditional Christianity.
  • concept: I'm now more than happy to embrace the concept.
  • notion: What happens if we embrace the notion of meaning as a ' target ' ?
  • technology: Investors in PT systems still tend to be cautious in embracing these new technologies.

Subject

  • mainstream: Yoga Centuries old but recently embraced by the mainstream, this spiritual and physical form of exercise involves stretching, balancing, meditating.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

  • such: This allows websites to embrace rich media such as streaming Video but careful application is still key.

Adjective complement

  • most: It was heartening to see a Labor government embrace most of the recommendations, including independence for the Bank of England.

Modifying Another Word

  • enthusiastically: The ideas have been enthusiastically embraced by the software engineering, object oriented design community.
  • wholeheartedly: YET there is a conundrum: None of our three main political parties appears interested in wholeheartedly embracing the tax-cutting agenda.
  • willingly: All these willingly embraced changes are not a million miles away from the language of Fresh Expressions.
  • warmly: Spours and Hodgson believe it should be warmly embraced by further education for a number of reasons.
  • eagerly: But of course we don't, and eagerly embrace old and new photos of the supernatural with as much gullibility as any Victorian.
  • uncritically: The common assumption is that those who worry about computer risks must uncritically embrace earlier technologies.

Used with why or when

  • whatever: And we know we must be bold in embracing whatever it takes to help us achieve our goal.
  • what: Do you have a personal relationship with God and embrace what God has given you?

Preposition: of

  • diversity: All along, the motive force for the embracing of diversity in the growing church is none other than the very Spirit of God.

Preposition: with

  • enthusiasm: This is surely a challenge we can embrace with enthusiasm.

Preposition: by

  • mainstream: Yoga Centuries old but recently embraced by the mainstream, this spiritual and physical form of exercise involves stretching, balancing, meditating.
embrace Quotes

Naked she lay, clasped in my longing arms, I filled with love, and she all over charms, Both equally inspired with eager fire, Melting through kindness, flaming in desire; With arms, legs, lips, close clinging to embrace.

—Rochester,JohnWilmot, 2nd Earl of

But O as to embrace me she enclin'd I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.

—Milton,John

   Yo persigo una forma que no encuentra mi estilo, boto¤  n de pensamiento que busca ser la rosa; se anuncia con un beso que en mis labios se posa al abrazo imposible de laVenus de Milo. I seek a form that my style cannot discover, a bud of thought that wants to be a rose; it is heralded by a kiss that is placed on my lips in the impossible embrace of theVenus de Milo.

—Dar|¤  o, Rube¤  n pseudonym of Fe¤  lixRube¤  nGarc|¤a Sarmiento

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As, to be hated, needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

—Pope, Alexander

   It is better to fight for the good, than to rail at the ill; I have felt with my native land, I am one with my kind, I embrace the purpose of God, and the doom assigned.

—Tennyson

J'embrasse mon rival, mais c'est pour l'e¤  touffer. If I embrace my rival, it is to strangle him.

—Racine,Jean

Then worms shall try That long preserved virginity: And your quaint honour turn to dust; And into ashes all my lust. The grave's a fine and private place, But none I thinkdo there embrace.

—Marvell, Andrew

His career was a text book example of the rise of a patrician in the snug embrace of the American establishment.

—Time

O happy dames, that may embrace The fruit of your delight, Help to bewail the woeful case And eke the heavy plight Of me, that wonted to rejoice The fortune of my pleasant choice. Good ladies, help to fill my mourning voice.

—Surrey, Henry Howard, Earl of

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Atimeto be born, and atimeto die; atimetoplant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; Atimetoweep, and atimeto laugh; atimetomourn, and a time to dance: A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

—Bible (Old Testament)

And the softness of my body will be guarded by embrace By each button, hook, and lace. For the man who should loose me is dead, Fighting with the Duke in Flanders, In a pattern called a war. Christ! What are patterns for?

—Lowell, Amy

Browse dictionary entries near embrace

  1. ‹ embower
  2. ‹ embowel
  3. ‹ embow
  4. ‹ embourgeoisement
  5. ‹ embouchure
  6. ‹ embossment
  7. ‹ emboss
  8. ‹ embosom
  9. ‹ embonpoint
  10. ‹ emboly
  1. embraceor ›
  2. embracery ›
  3. embranchment ›
  4. embrangle ›
  5. embrasure ›
  6. embrocate ›
  7. embrocation ›
  8. embroider ›
  9. embroidery ›
  10. embroil ›