v. t. [ Pref. em- (L. in) + 1st braid. ] 1. To braid up, as hair. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To upbraid. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Elyot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. em- (intens.) + brace, v. t. ] To fasten on, as armor. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Embraced p. pr. & vb. n. Embracing ] [ 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 ]

v. i. To join in an embrace. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

n. [ Cf. F. embrassement. ] 1. A clasp in the arms; embrace. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dear though chaste embracements. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. State of being contained; inclosure. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In the embracement of the parts hardly reparable, as bones. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Willing acceptance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A ready embracement of . . . his kindness. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) One guilty of embracery. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who embraces. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) An attempt to influence a court, jury, etc., corruptly, by promises, entreaties, money, entertainments, threats, or other improper inducements. [ 1913 Webster ]