em·brace
(ĕm-brāś)
[Middle English embracen, from Old French embracer, en-, in; see en–1, + brace, the two arms; see brace.]
verb: -braced, -brac·ing, -brac·es.
transitive verb
- To clasp or hold close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection.
- To surround; enclose: We allowed the warm water to embrace us.
- To twine around: a trellis that was embraced by vines.
- To include as part of something broader. See synonyms at include
- To take up willingly or eagerly: embrace a social cause.
- To avail oneself of: “I only regret, in my chilled age, certain occasions and possibilities I didn't embrace” (Henry James)
intransitive verb
- To join in an embrace.
noun
- An act of holding close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection; a hug.
- An enclosure or encirclement: caught in the jungle's embrace.
- Eager acceptance: your embrace of Catholicism.
derivatives
- em·bracéa·ble
- adjective
- em·bracément
- noun
