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REFERENCE

embrace

v. · n.
US //ɛmˈbɹeɪs// UK //ɛmbɹˈeɪs// em·brace
  1. 1 to hug (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to hold someone close in your arms to show love or friendship.

    to clasp another person in the arms as a gesture of affection or greeting. Transitive; requires a direct object.

    Example

    The two friends embraced warmly when they met at the airport.

    Example

    Upon his return from the long voyage, he embraced his daughter with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
  2. 2 to accept an idea (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to eagerly accept a new idea, opinion, or way of life.

    to adopt or support a belief, theory, or change willingly and enthusiastically.

    Example

    Many companies are starting to embrace remote work for their employees.

    Example

    The local community has slowly begun to embrace sustainable energy solutions as the benefits to the environment become more apparent.
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  1. 3 to include (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to include or contain a number of different things.

    to include or contain as a constituent part; to encompass a variety of elements.

    Example

    The new law embraces several different areas of medical research.

    Example

    The report embraces a wide range of opinions from both the public and private sectors regarding urban development.
  2. 4 a hug (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    the act of holding someone closely in your arms.

    the act of enfolding someone in the arms; a physical hug.

    Example

    They held each other in a long embrace before saying goodbye.

    Example

    The mother held the child in a protective embrace as the thunder crashed outside the window.
  3. 5 full acceptance (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    the act of accepting or supporting something completely.

    the complete acceptance or enthusiastic adoption of a concept, movement, or technology.

    Example

    The public's embrace of the new technology was faster than expected.

    Example

    The sudden embrace of radical economic reforms led to significant social upheaval within the decade.
Origin

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”). The English word is analysable as em- + brace. The noun is derived from the verb.

Idioms1 entry

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