Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • intransitive verb To clasp or hold close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection.
  • intransitive verb To surround or enclose.
  • intransitive verb To include or contain as part of something broader. synonym: include.
  • intransitive verb To adopt or support willingly or eagerly.
  • intransitive verb To avail oneself of.
  • intransitive verb To join in an embrace.
  • noun An act of holding close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection; a hug.
  • noun An enclosure or encirclement.
  • noun Eager acceptance.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An inclosure or clasp with the arms; specifically, a pressure to the bosom with the arms; an embracement; a hug.
  • In law, to attempt to influence corruptly, as a court or jury, by threats, bribes, promises, services, or entertainments, or by any means other than evidence or open argument.
  • To take, grasp, clasp, or infold in the arms; used absolutely, to press to the bosom, as in token of affection; hug; clip.
  • To inclose; encompass; contain; encircle.
  • Figuratively, to take.
  • To receive or accept, though unwillingly; accept as inevitable.
  • To comprehend; include or take in; comprise: as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
  • 5 To hold; keep possession of; sway.
  • To throw a protecting arm around; shield.
  • In botany, to clasp with the base: as, a leaf embracing the stem.
  • In zoology, to lie closely in contact with (another part), imperfectly surrounding it.
  • To join in an embrace.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
  • transitive verb To cling to; to cherish; to love.
  • transitive verb To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.
  • transitive verb To encircle; to encompass; to inclose.
  • transitive verb To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in.
  • transitive verb To accept; to undergo; to submit to.
  • transitive verb (Law) To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court.
  • intransitive verb To join in an embrace.
  • transitive verb obsolete To fasten on, as armor.
  • noun Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb hug, put arms around.
  • verb metaphorical enfold, include (ideas, principles, etc.).
  • noun hug (noun); putting arms around someone.
  • noun metaphorical enfolding, including.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the state of taking in or encircling
  • verb include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
  • verb take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own
  • noun the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)
  • noun a close affectionate and protective acceptance
  • verb squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English embracen, from Old French embracer : en-, in; see en– + brace, the two arms; see brace.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English embracen, from Old French embracier, equivalent to em- +‎ brace. Influenced by Middle English umbracen ("to stretch out over, cover, engulf"), from um- ("around") + bracen ("to brace").

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Examples

  • But I'd rather the label embrace the video so I don't have to go sneaking around from site to site.

    Ask Pud 2009

  • I prefer to use the word "embrace" rather than "buy-in," a more commonly used word synonymous with change efforts.

    Eric Sheninger: An Open Letter to School Leaders Eric Sheninger 2011

  • I prefer to use the word "embrace" rather than "buy-in," a more commonly used word synonymous with change efforts.

    Eric Sheninger: An Open Letter to School Leaders Eric Sheninger 2011

  • And if any one would have this term embrace the ceremony [of the Mass], we readily concede it, provided he neither understands the ceremony alone, nor teaches that the ceremony profits _ex opere operato_.

    Apology of the Augsburg Confession Philipp Melanchthon 1528

  • Most of the time – in fact, pretty much all the time – that "embrace" is an abstraction.

    Oh Cultured Capitol | ATTACKERMAN 2009

  • The "embrace" is not for those who disagree about the moral character of homosexual acts and the charade of transgendered manipulations, but for those, like President Obama, who celebrate homosexuality as a worthy equal to heterosexuality (or is it better than heterosexuality??), who insist the only criteria for marriage is "love" (which, for male homosexuals, changes focus often).

    A couple of thoughts about Obama's "Hey, You're Gay, Hurray!" Day 2009

  • That kind of embrace is pretty damn suspicious, especially nowadays.

    07/21/2005 2005

  • While the party could again embrace Rick Lazio, the former congressman defeated by Mr. Paladino in the gubernatorial primary, or Harry Wilson, who lost a close race for state comptroller, the Republican bench looks bare.

    Paladino's Influence Up in Air Michael Rothfeld 2010

  • In any case, I regard the embrace from the left as mostly, merely strategic on its part.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » No Righteous Gentile Awards, Please 2010

  • I have further said that not all of those people believe what they embrace is "good."

    A Pat on the Back for Matzke 2009

Comments

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  • "Successful retailers will embrace new communication and marketing models to respond to market segment preferences and ensure in-store customer experiences provide a differentiated value proposition relative to alternative emerging retail channels."

    - Rodney Baurycza, marketing director of Telstra.

    July 6, 2008