embrace

1
[ em-breys ]
/ ɛmˈbreɪs /

verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.

verb (used without object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.

to join in an embrace.

noun

an act or instance of embracing.

Origin of embrace

1
1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French embracier, equivalent to em- em-1 + bracier to embrace, derivative of brace the two arms; see brace

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brace·a·ble, adjective em·brace·ment, noun em·brac·er, noun un·em·brace·a·ble, adjective

Definition for embracing (2 of 2)

embrace 2
[ em-breys ]
/ ɛmˈbreɪs /

verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing. Law.

to attempt to influence (a judge or jury) through corrupt means.

Origin of embrace

2
1400–1450; late Middle English: to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury), perhaps the same word as embrace1, influenced by embrasen to set on fire (< Middle French embraser; see em-1, braise)

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brac·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for embracing

British Dictionary definitions for embracing (1 of 2)

embrace 1
/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /

verb (mainly tr)

noun

the act of embracing
(often plural) euphemistic sexual intercourse

Derived forms of embrace

embraceable, adjective embracement, noun embracer, noun

Word Origin for embrace

C14: from Old French embracier, from em- + brace a pair of arms, from Latin bracchia arms

British Dictionary definitions for embracing (2 of 2)

embrace 2
/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /

verb

(tr) criminal law to commit or attempt to commit embracery against (a jury, etc)

Word Origin for embrace

C15: back formation from embraceor