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embrace

em·brace [ em bráyss ]


verb  (past and past participle em·braced, present participle em·brac·ing, 3rd person present singular em·brac·es)
Definition:
 
1. transitive and intransitive verb hug somebody: to hug somebody in your arms affectionately or passionately, or hug each other affectionately or passionately

2. transitive verb make use of something: to welcome and take advantage of something eagerly or willingly
embrace an opportunity

3. transitive verb adopt something: to adopt or take up something, especially a belief or way of life
embraced free-market economics

4. transitive verb comprise something: to include something as part of a whole
a new electoral district embracing both suburban and urban areas

5. transitive verb surround something: to surround or enclose something ( literary ) ( often passive )



noun  (plural em·brac·es)
Definition:
 
warm hug: an affectionate or passionate hug

[14th century. < Old French embracer "take into your arms" < Latin bracchium "arm"]

em·brace·able adjective
em·brace·ment noun
em·brac·er noun
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