Meaning of embrace in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /əmˈbreɪs/

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  1. Verb

    embrace

    Etymology

    Middle English (in the sense ‘encircle, surround, enclose’; formerly also as imbrace): from Old French embracer, based on Latin in-‘in’ + bracchium‘arm’

    Definitions

    1. include in scope

    Examples

    • « include as part of something broader »
    • « have as one's sphere or territory »
    • « This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds »
    • « this should cover everyone in the group »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. hug, usually with fondness

    Examples

    • « Hug me, please »
    • « They embraced »

    Derived terms

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

    Examples

    • « She embraced Catholocism »
    • « They adopted the Jewish faith »

    Derived terms

  4. Noun

    embrace

    Definitions

    1. the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)

    Derived terms

  5. 2. the state of taking in or encircling

    Examples

    • « an island in the embrace of the sea »
  6. 3. a close affectionate and protective acceptance

    Examples

    • « his willing embrace of new ideas »
    • « in the bosom of the family »

    Derived terms

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