embrace

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a close affectionate and protective acceptance

   Your willing embrace of new ideas is an asset to this company.

2. 2
   noun

   the state of taking in or encircling

   an island in the embrace of the sea

3. 3
   verb

   take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own

   I embraced the tenets of socialism.

4. 4
   verb

   To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

   There was no faynting faith in that Dogge, which when his Master by a mischaunce in hunting stumbled and fell toppling downe a deepe dytche beyng vnable to recouer of himselfe, the Dogge signifying his masters mishappe, reskue came, and he was hayled up by a rope, whom the Dogge seeying almost drawne up to the edge of the dytche, cheerefully saluted, leaping and skipping vpon his master as though he would haue imbraced hym, beying glad of his presence, whose longer absence he was lothe to lacke.

5. 5
   verb

   To seize (something) eagerly or with alacrity; to accept or take up with cordiality; to welcome.

   I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.

6. 6
   verb

   To submit to; to undergo.

   What I haue done my ſafety vrg'd me to: / And I embrace this fortune patiently, / Since not to be auoided it fals on me.

7. 7
   verb

   To encircle; to enclose, to encompass.

   Low at his foot a ſpacious Plain is plac't, / Between the Mountain and the Stream embrac't: / Which ſhade and ſhelter from the Hill derives, / While the kind River Wealth and Beauty gives; […]

8. 8
   verb

   To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.

   Natural philosophy embraces many sciences.

Etymology

The verb is derived from Middle English embracen (“to clasp in one's arms, embrace; to reach out eagerly for, welcome; to enfold, entwine; to ensnare, entangle; to twist, wrap around; to gird, put on; to lace; to be in or put into bonds; to put a shield on the arm; to grasp (a shield or spear); to acquire, take hold of; to receive; to undertake; to affect, influence; to incite; to unlawfully influence a jury; to surround; to conceal, cover; to shelter; to protect; to comfort; to comprehend, understand”) [and other forms], from Old French embracer, embracier (“to kiss”) (modern French embrasser…