EMBRACE
embrace, bosom
(noun) a close affectionate and protective acceptance; “his willing embrace of new ideas”; “in the bosom of the family”
embrace, embracing, embracement
(noun) the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)
embrace
(noun) the state of taking in or encircling; “an island in the embrace of the sea”
espouse, embrace, adopt, sweep up
(verb) take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one’s own; “She embraced Catholicism”; “They adopted the Jewish faith”
embrace, hug, bosom, squeeze
(verb) hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness; “Hug me, please”; “They embraced”; “He hugged her close to him”
embrace, encompass, comprehend, cover
(verb) include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one’s sphere or territory; “This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds”; “this should cover everyone in the group”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
embrace (third-person singular simple present embraces, present participle embracing, simple past and past participle embraced)
(transitive) To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
Synonyms: fall on someone's neck, Thesaurus:embrace
(transitive, figuratively) To seize (something) eagerly or with alacrity; to accept or take up with cordiality; to welcome.
(transitive, figuratively) To submit to; to undergo.
Synonym: accept
(transitive, also, figuratively) To encircle; to enclose, to encompass.
Synonyms: entwine, surround
(transitive, figuratively) To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
(transitive, obsolete, rare) To fasten on, as armour.
(transitive, figuratively, obsolete) To accept (someone) as a friend; to accept (someone's) help gladly.
(transitive, law, figuratively, obsolete) To attempt to influence (a court, jury, etc.) corruptly; to practise embracery.
Noun
embrace (plural embraces)
An act of putting arms around someone and bringing the person close to the chest; a hug.
(figuratively) An enclosure partially or fully surrounding someone or something.
(figuratively) Full acceptance (of something).
(figuratively) An act of enfolding or including.
Notes
Source: Wiktionary
Em*brace", v. t. Etym: [Pref. em- (intens.) + brace, v. t.]
Definition: To fasten on, as armor. [Obs.] Spenser.
Em*brace", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embraced; p. pr. & vb. n. Embracing.]
Etym: [OE. embracier, F. embrasser; pref. em- (L. in) + F. bras arm.
See Brace, n.]
1. To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
I will embrace him with a soldier's arm, That he shall shrink under
my courtesy. Shak.
Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them. Acts xx. 1.
2. To cling to; to cherish; to love. Shak.
3. To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to
welcome. "I embrace these conditions." "You embrace the occasion."
Shak.
What is there that he may not embrace for truth Locke.
4. To encircle; to encompass; to inclose.
Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed, Between the mountain and
the stream embraced. Denham.
5. To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in; as,
natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
Not that my song, in such a scanty space, So large a subject fully
can embrace. Dryden.
6. To accept; to undergo; to submit to. "I embrace this fortune
patiently." Shak.
7. (Law)
Definition: To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court.
Blackstone.
Syn.
– To clasp; hug; inclose; encompass; include;
Em*brace", v. i.
Definition: To join in an embrace.
Em*brace", n.
Definition: Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the
bosom; clasp; hug.
We stood tranced in long embraces, Mixed with kisses. Tennyson.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition