embrace

Etymology

, Two Men in Florence Kissing (1600), a drawing depicting two men embracing (sense 1)]] 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.

verb

1. (transitive) To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
   There was no faynting faith in that Dogge, which when his Master by a mischaunce in hunting stumbled and fell toppling downe a deepe dytche beyng vnable to recouer of himselfe, the Dogge signifying his masters mishappe, reskue came, and he was hayled up by a rope, whom the Dogge seeying almost drawne up to the edge of the dytche, cheerefully saluted, leaping and skipping vpon his master as though he would haue imbraced hym, beying glad of his presence, whose longer absence he was lothe to lacke. 1576, Iohannes Caius [i.e., John Caius], “Dogges of a Course Kind Seruing for Many Necessary Uses, Called in Latine Canes Rustici, and First of the Shepherds Dogge, Called in Latine Canis Pastoralis”, in Abraham Fleming, transl., Of Englishe Dogges, the Diuersities, the Names, the Natures, and the Properties.[…], imprinted at London: By [John Charlewood for] Rychard Johnes,[…], →OCLC; republished London: Printed by A. Bradley,[…], 1880, →OCLC, page 31
   Thou doſt reduce me when I err; thou ſtayeſt for me when I am dull; thou imbraceſt me when I return; thou teacheſt me when I am ignorant; … 1686, [formerly attributed to Augustine of Hippo], “The Accusation of Man, and the Commendation and Praise of the Divine Mercy”, in [John Floyd], transl., The Meditations, Soliloquia, and Manual of the Glorious Doctor St. Augustine. Translated into English, London: Printed for Matthew Turner[…], →OCLC, page 6
   There was no ambiguity in her relief and enthusiasm; she went up to him in a somewhat irresolute fashion, as if about to put out her hand; but they embraced instead, and stood for a moment yoked thus, absurdly relieved and delighted by the other’s presence. 1982, Lawrence Durrell, “Tu Duc Revisited”, in Constance: Or Solitary Practices: A Novel, London: Faber and Faber; republished New York, N.Y.: Viking Press, 1982, page 261
   We embrace to be embraced. We embrace our children to be folded in the arms of the future, to pass ourselves beyond death, to be transported. That is how it was when I embraced you, always. 1990, J[ohn] M[axwell] Coetzee, chapter 1, in Age of Iron, London: Secker and Warburg, page 5; republished London: Penguin Books, 2015
2. (transitive, figurative) To seize (something) eagerly or with alacrity; to accept or take up with cordiality; to welcome.
   I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.
   The louer refused of his loue imbraceth death. [poem title] 1557, unknown, “The Louer Refused of His Loue Imbraceth Death”, in Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey et al., edited by Edward Arber, Tottel’s Miscellany. Songes and Sonettes[…] (English Reprints; 24), London: [Edward Arber]; Muir & Paterson, printers,[…], published 15 August 1870, →OCLC, page 168
   [I]f a Man can be perſuaded and fully aſſur'd of any thing for a Truth, without having examin'd, what is there that he may not imbrace for Truth; and if he has given himſelf up to believe a Lye, what means is there left to recover one who can be aſſur'd without examining. a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke:[…], London: Printed by W. B. for A[ugustus] and J[ohn] Churchill[…], published 1706, →OCLC, §34, page 105
3. (transitive, figurative) To submit to; to undergo.
   Faced with the most significant public health crisis in a century, the population has largely embraced the strict but essential government instructions on social distancing that have been carefully designed to protect lives and to curb the spread of COVID-19. April 22 2020, Paul Stephen, “COVID-19: meet the railway heroes”, in Rail, page 40
4. (transitive, also figurative) To encircle; to enclose, to encompass.
   Low at his foot a ſpacious Plain is plac't, / Between the Mountain and the Stream embrac't: / Which ſhade and ſhelter from the Hill derives, / While the kind River Wealth and Beauty gives; … 1642, John Denham, “Coopers Hill”, in Poems and Translations, with the Sophy.[…], 4th edition, Printed by T. W. for H[enry] Herringman and sold by Jacob Tonson[…], and Thomas Bennet[…], published 1703, →OCLC, page 14
5. (transitive, figurative) To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
   Natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
6. (transitive, obsolete, rare) To fasten on, as armour.
7. (transitive, figurative, obsolete) To accept (someone) as a friend; to accept (someone's) help gladly.
8. (transitive, law, figurative, obsolete) To attempt to influence (a court, jury, etc.) corruptly; to practise embracery.

noun

1. An act of putting arms around someone and bringing the person close to the chest; a hug.
2. (figurative) An enclosure partially or fully surrounding someone or something.
3. (figurative) Full acceptance (of something).
   It then occurred to Barbara, and recurred more strongly after she had learned of Ricky's marriage and her sale of the school in England, her eager embrace of Islam, and the total handing over of her lot to Joe Ramdez, that there had been no secret state of mind in Ricky. 1965, Muriel Spark, “The Passionate Pilgrims”, in The Mandelbaum Gate, London: Macmillan, →OCLC; The Mandelbaum Gate (A Borzoi Book), 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, 1965, →OCLC, part 2, pages 293–294
4. (figurative) An act of enfolding or including.