embrace

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
embrace
    n 1: the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in
         greeting or affection) [syn: {embrace}, {embracing},
         {embracement}]
    2: the state of taking in or encircling; "an island in the
       embrace of the sea"
    3: a close affectionate and protective acceptance; "his willing
       embrace of new ideas"; "in the bosom of the family" [syn:
       {embrace}, {bosom}]
    v 1: include in scope; 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" [syn: {embrace},
         {encompass}, {comprehend}, {cover}]
    2: squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with
       fondness; "Hug me, please"; "They embraced"; "He hugged her
       close to him" [syn: {embrace}, {hug}, {bosom}, {squeeze}]
    3: take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and
       use it as one's own; "She embraced Catholicism"; "They
       adopted the Jewish faith" [syn: {espouse}, {embrace},
       {adopt}, {sweep up}]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Embrace \Em*brace"\ ([e^]m*br[=a]s"), v. t. [Pref. em- (intens.)
   + brace, v. t.]
   To fasten on, as armor. [Obs.] --Spenser.
   [1913 Webster]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Embrace \Em*brace"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Embraced}
   ([e^]m*br[=a]st"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Embracing}
   ([e^]m*br[=a]"s[i^]ng).] [OE. embracier, F. embrasser; pref.
   em- (L. in) + F. bras arm. See {Brace}, n.]
   1. To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms;
      to hug.
      [1913 Webster]

            I will embrace him with a soldier's arm,
            That he shall shrink under my courtesy. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced
            them.                                 --Acts xx. 1.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To cling to; to cherish; to love. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with
      cordiality; to welcome. "I embrace these conditions." "You
      embrace the occasion." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            What is there that he may not embrace for truth?
                                                  --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To encircle; to encompass; to inclose.
      [1913 Webster]

            Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed,
            Between the mountain and the stream embraced.
                                                  --Denham.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in;
      as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
      [1913 Webster]

            Not that my song, in such a scanty space,
            So large a subject fully can embrace. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. To accept; to undergo; to submit to. "I embrace this
      fortune patiently." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. (Law) To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or
      court. --Blackstone.

   Syn: To clasp; hug; inclose; encompass; include; comprise;
        comprehend; contain; involve; imply.
        [1913 Webster]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Embrace \Em*brace"\, v. i.
   To join in an embrace.
   [1913 Webster]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Embrace \Em*brace"\, n.
   Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the
   bosom; clasp; hug.
   [1913 Webster]

         We stood tranced in long embraces,
         Mixed with kisses.                       --Tennyson.
   [1913 Webster]
    
from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
295 Moby Thesaurus words for "embrace":
      abduct, accept, accommodate, accost, accouple, accueil, accumulate,
      address, adhere, adhere to, admit, adopt, adoption, affiliate,
      agglomerate, agglutinate, amass, ankle, approve, articulate,
      articulation, assemble, assimilate, associate, band, bear,
      bear hug, bite, bob, bond, bosom, boundary, bow, box, bracket,
      bridge, bridge over, bunch, butt, carry, carry off, case, cement,
      cervix, chain, cherish, clamp, clap together, clasp, cleave,
      cleave to, clench, clinch, cling, cling to, clinging, clip, close,
      closure, clot, cluster, clutch, coagulate, cohere, collect,
      combine, come together, communicate, compass, compass about,
      complete, compose, comprehend, comprise, concatenate, congeal,
      conglobulate, conglomerate, conjoin, conjugate, connect,
      connecting link, connecting rod, connection, contain, converge,
      copulate, count in, couple, coupling, cover, cradle, crate, cuddle,
      curtsy, death grip, dovetail, elbow, embay, embody, embosom, embox,
      embracement, embracing, employ, encapsulate, encase, encircle,
      enclasp, enclose, encompass, enfold, enfoldment, enshroud,
      entertain, entwine, envelop, environ, envisage, enwrap, espouse,
      fill, fill in, fill out, firm hold, fold, fondle, foothold,
      footing, foster, freeze to, gather, glad hand, gliding joint, glue,
      go around, go in for, go round, grapple, grasp, greeting, grip,
      gripe, grow together, hail, hand-clasp, handshake, hang on,
      hang on to, hang together, harbor, have, have and hold,
      hearty welcome, hello, hinge, hinged joint, hip, hold, hold fast,
      hold on, hold on to, hold tight, hold together, how-do-you-do, hug,
      include, incorporate, intercommunicate, interface, invest, involve,
      iron grip, join, joining, joint, juncture, keep, keep hold of,
      kidnap, kiss, knee, knit, knot, knuckle, lap, lay together, league,
      link, lock, lump together, make use of, make welcome, marry,
      marshal, mass, meet, merge, miter, mobilize, mortise, neck,
      never let go, nip, nod, number among, nurse, nurture, nuzzle,
      occupy, open arms, pack, package, pair, pass, persist,
      piece together, pivot, pivot joint, press, purchase, put together,
      rabbet, ratify, receive, reception, reckon among, reckon in,
      reckon with, roll into one, salutation, salute, scarf, seam,
      seizure, set, shanghai, sheathe, shoulder, shroud, smile,
      smile of recognition, smiling reception, smother, snuggle, solder,
      solidify, span, splice, squeeze, stay, stay put, stick, stick to,
      stick together, stitch, subsume, surround, suture, swaddle, swathe,
      symphysis, take hold of, take in, take into account,
      take into consideration, take on, take over, take up, tape,
      the glad hand, throttle, tie, tie rod, tight grip, toehold, toggle,
      toggle joint, treasure, treasure up, twine, unify, union, unite,
      use, wave, welcome, welcome mat, welcoming, weld, wrap, wrap about,
      wrap up, wrist, yoke

    

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