Embrace

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: em=brace

CIDE DICTIONARY

Embrace, v. t. [Pref. em- (intens.) + brace, v. t.].

 To fasten on, as armor.  Spenser.  [1913 Webster]

Embrace, v. t. [OE. embracier, F. embrasser; pref. em- (L. in) + F. bras arm. See Brace, n.].

•  To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.  [1913 Webster]

  "I will embrace him with a soldier's arm,
  That he shall shrink under my courtesy."  [1913 Webster]

  "Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them."  [1913 Webster]
•  To cling to; to cherish; to love.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]
•  To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

  "What is there that he may not embrace for truth?"  [1913 Webster]
•  To encircle; to encompass; to inclose.  [1913 Webster]

  "Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed,
  Between the mountain and the stream embraced."  [1913 Webster]
•  To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in; as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.  [1913 Webster]

  "Not that my song, in such a scanty space,
  So large a subject fully can embrace."  [1913 Webster]
•  To accept; to undergo; to submit to.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]
•  To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court.  Blackstone.

Syn. -- To clasp; hug; inclose; encompass; include; comprise; comprehend; contain; involve; imply.

Embrace, v. i. 

 To join in an embrace.  [1913 Webster]

Embrace, n. 

 Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug.  [1913 Webster]
"We stood tranced in long embraces,
Mixed with kisses."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Embrace, v. & n.
--v.tr.
1 a hold (a person) closely in the arms, esp. as a sign of affection. b (absol., of two people) hold each other closely.
2 clasp, enclose.
3 accept eagerly (an offer, opportunity, etc.).
4 adopt (a course of action, doctrine, cause, etc.).
5 include, comprise.
6 take in with the eye or mind.
--n. an act of embracing; holding in the arms.

Derivative

embraceable adj. embracement n. embracer n.

Etymology

ME f. OF embracer, ult. f. L in- IN-(1) + bracchium arm

THESAURUS

Embrace

abduct, accept, accommodate, accost, accouple, accueil, accumulate, address, adhere, adhere to, admit, adopt, adoption, affiliate, agglomerate, agglutinate, amass, ankle, approve, articulate, articulation, assemble, assimilate, associate, band, bear, bear hug, bite, bob, bond, bosom, boundary, bow, box, bracket, bridge, bridge over, bunch, butt, carry, carry off, case, cement, cervix, chain, cherish, clamp, clap together, clasp, cleave, cleave to, clench, clinch, cling, cling to, clinging, clip, close, closure, clot, cluster, clutch, coagulate, cohere, collect, combine, come together, communicate, compass, compass about, complete, compose, comprehend, comprise, concatenate, congeal, conglobulate, conglomerate, conjoin, conjugate, connect, connecting link, connecting rod, connection, contain, converge, copulate, count in, couple, coupling, cover, cradle, crate, cuddle, curtsy, death grip, dovetail, elbow, embay, embody, embosom, embox, embracement, embracing, employ, encapsulate, encase, encircle, enclasp, enclose, encompass, enfold, enfoldment, enshroud, entertain, entwine, envelop, environ, envisage, enwrap, espouse, fill, fill in, fill out, firm hold, fold, fondle, foothold, footing, foster, freeze to, gather, glad hand, gliding joint, glue, go around, go in for, go round, grapple, grasp, greeting, grip, gripe, grow together, hail, hand-clasp, handshake, hang on, hang on to, hang together, harbor, have, have and hold, hearty welcome, hello, hinge, hinged joint, hip, hold, hold fast, hold on, hold on to, hold tight, hold together, how-do-you-do, hug, include, incorporate, intercommunicate, interface, invest, involve, iron grip, join, joining, joint, juncture, keep, keep hold of, kidnap, kiss, knee, knit, knot, knuckle, lap, lay together, league, link, lock, lump together, make use of, make welcome, marry, marshal, mass, meet, merge, miter, mobilize, mortise, neck, never let go, nip, nod, number among, nurse, nurture, nuzzle, occupy, open arms, pack, package, pair, pass, persist, piece together, pivot, pivot joint, press, purchase, put together, rabbet, ratify, receive, reception, reckon among, reckon in, reckon with, roll into one, salutation, salute, scarf, seam, seizure, set, shanghai, sheathe, shoulder, shroud, smile, smile of recognition, smiling reception, smother, snuggle, solder, solidify, span, splice, squeeze, stay, stay put, stick, stick to, stick together, stitch, subsume, surround, suture, swaddle, swathe, symphysis, take hold of, take in, take into account, take into consideration, take on, take over, take up, tape, the glad hand, throttle, tie, tie rod, tight grip, toehold, toggle, toggle joint, treasure, treasure up, twine, unify, union, unite, use, wave, welcome, welcome mat, welcoming, weld, wrap, wrap about, wrap up, wrist, yoke

ROGET THESAURUS

Embrace

Choice

VB offers one's choice, set before, hold out the alternative, present the alternative, offer the alternative, put to the vote, use option, use discretion, exercise option, exercise discretion, one's option, adopt, take up, embrace, espouse, choose, elect, opt for, take one's choice, make one's choice, make choice of, fix upon, vote, poll, hold up one's hand, divide, settle, decide, list, make up one's mind, select, pick and choose, pick out, single out, cull, glean, winnow, sift the chaff from the wheat, separate the chaff from the wheat, winnow the chaff from the wheat, pick up, pitch upon, pick one's way, indulge one's fancy, set apart, mark out for, mark, prefer, have rather, have as lief, fancy, be persuaded, take a decided step, take a decisive step, commit oneself to a course, pass the Rubicon, cross the Rubicon, cast in one's lot with, take for better or for worse.

Composition

VB be composed of, be made of, be formed of, be made up of, consist of, be resolved into, include, contain, hold, comprehend, take in, admit, embrace, embody, involve, implicate, drag into, compose, constitute, form, make, make up, fill up, build up, enter into the composition of.

Inclusion

VB be included in, come under, fall under, range under, belong to, pertain to, range with, merge in, include, comprise, comprehend, contain, admit, embrace, receive, inclose, embody, encircle, reckon among, enumerate among, number among, refer to, place with, arrange with, place under, take into account.

Taking

VB take, catch, hook, nab, bag, sack, pocket, put into one's pocket, receive, accept, reap, crop, cull, pluck, gather, draw, appropriate, expropriate, impropriate, assume, possess oneself of, take possession of, commandeer, lay one's hands on, clap one's hands on, help oneself to, make free with, dip one's hands into, lay under contribution, intercept, scramble for, deprive of, take away, carry away, bear away, take off, carry off, bear off, adeem, abstract, hurry off with, run away with, abduct, steal, ravish, seize, pounce upon, spring upon, swoop to, swoop down upon, take by storm, take by assault, snatch, reave, snap up, nip up, whip up, catch up, kidnap, crimp, capture, lay violent hands on, get hold of, lay hold of, take hold of, catch hold of, lay fast hold of, take firm hold of, lay by the heels, take prisoner, fasten upon, grip, grapple, embrace, gripe, clasp, grab, clutch, collar, throttle, take by the throat, claw, clinch, clench, make sure of, catch at, jump at, make a grab at, snap at, snatch at, reach, make a long arm, stretch forth one's hand, take from, take away from, disseize, deduct, retrench, dispossess, ease one of, snatch from one's grasp, tear from, tear away from, wrench from, wrest from, wring from, extort, deprive of, bereave, disinherit, cut off with a shilling, oust, divest, levy, distrain, confiscate, sequester, sequestrate, accroach, usurp, despoil, strip, fleece, shear, displume, impoverish, eat out of house and home, drain, drain to the dregs, gut, dry, exhaust, swallow up, absorb, draw off, suck the blood of, suck like a leech, retake, resume, recover.

Circumjacence

VB lie around, surround, beset, compass, encompass, environ, inclose, enclose, encircle, embrace, circumvent, lap, gird, belt, begird, engird, skirt, twine round, hem in.

Friendship

VB be friendly, be friends, be acquainted with, know, have the ear of, keep company with, hold communication with, have dealings with, sympathize with, have a leaning to, bear good will, love, make much of, befriend, introduce to, set one's horses together, have the latchstring out, hold out the right hand of friendship, extend the right hand of friendship, hold out the right hand of fellowship, become friendly, make friends with, break the lee, be introduced to, make acquaintance with, pick acquaintance with, scrape acquaintance with, get into favor, gain the friendship of, shake hands with, fraternize, embrace, receive with open arms, throw oneself into the arms of, meet halfway, take in good part.

Sociality

VB be sociable, know, be acquainted, associate with, sort with, keep company with, walk hand in hand with, eat off the same trencher, club together, consort, bear one company, join, make acquaintance with, make advances, fraternize, embrace, be at home with, feel at home with, make oneself at home with, make free with, crack a bottle with, receive hospitality, live at free quarters, find the latchstring out, visit, pay a visit, interchange visits, interchange cards, call at, call upon, leave a card, drop in, look in, look one up, beat up one's quarters, entertain, give a party, be at home, see one's friends, hang out, keep open house, do the honors, receive, receive with open arms, welcome, give a warm reception, to kill the fatted calf.

Courtesy

N courtesy, respect, good manners, good behavior, good breeding, manners, politeness, bienseance, urbanity, comity, gentility, breeding, polish, presence, civility, civilization, amenity, suavity, good temper, good humor, amiability, easy temper, complacency, soft tongue, mansuetude, condescension, affability, complaisance, pr_evenance, amability, gallantry, pink of politeness, pink of courtesy, compliment, fair words, soft words, sweet words, honeyed phrases, ceremonial salutation, reception, presentation, introduction, accueil, greeting, recognition, welcome, abord, respects, devoir, regards, remembrances, kind regards, kind remembrances, love, best love, duty, empty encomium, flattering remark, hollow commendation, salaams, obeisance, bow, courtesy, curtsy, scrape, salaam, kotow, kowtow, bowing and scraping, kneeling, genuflection, obsequiousness, capping, shaking hands grip of the hand, embrace, hug, squeeze, accolade, loving cup, vin d'honneur, pledge, love token, kiss, buss, salute, mark of recognition, nod, nods and becks and wreathed smiles, valediction, condolence, courteous, polite, civil, mannerly, urbane, well-behaved, well- mannered, well-bred, well-brought up, good-mannered, polished, civilized, cultivated, refined, gentlemanlike, gallant, on one's good behavior, fine spoken, fair spoken, soft-spoken, honey-mouthed, honey- tongued, oily, bland, obliging, conciliatory, complaisant, complacent, obsequious, ingratiating, winning, gentle, mild, good-humored, cordial, gracious, affable, familiar, neighborly, diplomatic, tactful, politic, artful, courteously, with a good grace, with open arms, with outstretched arms, a bras ouverts, suaviter in modo, in good humor, Int, hail!, welcome!, well met!, ave!, all hail!, good day, good morrow!, Godspeed!, pax vobiscum!, may your shadow never be less!, Tien de plus estimable que la ceremonie, the very pink of courtesy.

VB be courteous, show courtesy, mind one's P's and Q's, behave oneself, be all things to all men, conciliate, speak one fair, take in good part, make the amiable, do the amiable, look as if butter would not melt in one's mouth, mend one's manners, receive, do the honors, usher, greet, hail, bid welcome, welcome, welcome with open arms, shake hands, hold out the hand, press the hand, squeeze the hand, press the flesh, bid Godspeed, speed the parting guest, cheer, serenade, salute, embrace, kiss, kiss hands, drink to, pledge, hob and nob, move to, nod to, smile upon, uncover, cap, touch the hat, take off the hat, doff the cap, present arms, make way for, bow, make one's bow, make a leg, scrape, curtsy, courtesy, bob a curtsy, bob a courtesy, kneel, bow the knee, bend the knee, visit, wait upon, present oneself, pay one's respects, pay a visit, dance attendance on, pay attentions to, do homage to, prostrate oneself, give one's duty to, send one's duty to render polite, polish, civilize, humanize.

Endearment

N endearment, caress, blandishment, blandiment, panchement, fondling, billing and cooing, dalliance, necking, petting, sporting, sparking, hanky-panky, caressing, embrace, salute, kiss, buss, smack, osculation, deosculation, amorous glances, courtship, wooing, suit, addresses, the soft impeachment, lovemaking, serenading, caterwauling, flirting, flirtation, gallantry, coquetry, true lover's knot, plighted love, love tale, love token, love letter, billet-doux, valentine, honeymoon, Strephon and Chloe, caressing, sighing like furnace, love-sick, spoony, caressed, faint heart neer won fair lady, kisses honeyed by oblivion.

VB caress, fondle, pet, dandle, pat, pat on the head, pat on the cheek, chuck under the chin, smile upon, coax, wheedle, cosset, coddle, cocker, cockle, make of, make much of, cherish, foster, kill with kindness, clasp, hug, cuddle, fold in one's arms, strain in one's arms, nestle, nuzzle, embrace, kiss, buss, smack, blow a kiss, salute, fold to the heart, press to the bosom, bill and coo, spoon, toy, dally, flirt, coquet, gallivant, galavant, philander, make love, pay one's court to, pay one's addresses to, pay one's attentions to, serenade, court, woo, set one's cap at, be sweet upon, look sweet upon, ogle, cast sheep's eyes upon, faire les yeux doux, fall in love with, win the affections, die for, propose, make an offer, have an offer, pop the question, plight one's troth, plight one's faith.