Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Embrace

Embrace (em*brās") , transitive verb

[Prefix em- (intens.) + brace, transitive verb]

To fasten on, as armor. [Obsolete] — Spenser

Embrace (em*brāst") , transitive verb

[Old English embracier, French embrasser; pref. em- (Latin in) + French bras arm. See Brace, n.]

1.
To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
I will embrace him with a soldier's arm, That he shall shrink under my courtesy. — Shakespeare
Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them. — Acts xx. 1
2.
To cling to; to cherish; to love. — Shakespeare
3.
To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.
I embrace these conditions. — Shakespeare
You embrace the occasion.
What is there that he may not embrace for truth? — Locke
4.
To encircle; to encompass; to inclose.
Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed, Between the mountain and the stream embraced. — Denham
5.
To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in; as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
Not that my song, in such a scanty space, So large a subject fully can embrace. — Dryden
6.
To accept; to undergo; to submit to.
I embrace this fortune patiently. — Shakespeare
7.
(Law) To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court. — Blackstone

Embrace , intransitive verb

To join in an embrace.

Embrace , noun

Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug.
We stood tranced in long embraces, Mixed with kisses. — Tennyson