embrace
To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
Verb 4 meanings
To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
To seize (something) eagerly or with alacrity; to accept or take up with cordiality; to welcome.
“I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.”
To submit to; to undergo.
To encircle; to enclose, to encompass.
Noun 4 meanings
An act of putting arms around someone and bringing the person close to the chest; a hug.
An enclosure partially or fully surrounding someone or something.
Full acceptance (of something).
An act of enfolding or including.
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 (“to kiss; (dated) to embrace, hug”)), from Late Latin *imbracchiāre, from in- (prefix meaning ‘in, inside, within’)) + bracchium (“arm”).
Similar and opposite words
EMBRACE at a glance
EMBRACE has 7 letters and scores 13 points in Scrabble (E 1 + M 3 + B 3 + R 1 + A 1 + C 3 + E 1) and 16 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #5,399 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with embrace
All rhymesOne letter away
- EMBRAVE14
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