Main Entry:

¹em·brace

Pronunciation:

\im-ˈbrās\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

em·braced; em·brac·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French embracer, from en- + brace pair of arms — more at brace

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to clasp in the arms : hug b: cherish, love2: encircle, enclose3 a: to take up especially readily or gladly <embrace a cause> b: to avail oneself of : welcome <embraced the opportunity to study further>4 a: to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole <charity embraces all acts that contribute to human welfare> b: to be equal or equivalent to <his assets embraced $10>intransitive verb: to participate in an embrace

synonyms see adopt, include

— embrace·able \-ˈbrā-sə-bəl\ adjective

— em·brace·ment \-ˈbrās-mənt\ noun

— em·brac·er noun

— em·brac·ing·ly \-ˈbrā-siŋ-lē\ adverb