embrace

Everyday

1. To put your arms around someone to show love or friendship; to hug. tree →
2. (noun) A hug. tree →
3. To accept a new idea, change or opportunity happily and with enthusiasm. tree →
4. (formal) To include or contain: «The course embraces many subjects.» tree →

In the lessons

In stories, characters embrace when they meet again or say goodbye. In everyday and school talk, «embrace a challenge» or «embrace change» means welcome it. In formal language it means include. Phrases: «a warm embrace», «embrace the challenge», «embrace new ideas», «embrace each other».

Examples

• The friends embraced when they met at the airport. tree →
• She gave her grandad a long embrace. tree →
• Our school embraced the idea of a vegetable garden. tree →
• Embrace the challenge and try your best. tree →
• The mother held the baby in a warm embrace. tree →
• (formal) The topic embraces both history and geography. tree →
• I simply cannot wait to embrace you! tree →

Note

More formal than «hug». Past «embraced». You embrace someone (no «with»). It can mean to welcome ideas, not just to hug.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The embraces of Jacob, Esau and Laban show family reunion and forgiveness. Rabbis discuss whether Esau's kiss was real or false. In the Song of Songs the embrace is a lover's hug, which tradition reads as God's love for Israel. In Job, the poor "embrace the rock", holding it for lack of shelter. In the primary lessons: In stories, characters embrace when they meet again or say goodbye. In everyday and school talk, «embrace a challenge» or «embrace change» means welcome it. In formal language it means include. Phrases: «a warm embrace», «embrace the challenge», «embrace new ideas», «embrace each other».

Examples

• And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. (Torah GEN.48.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they wept. (Torah GEN.33.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. (Torah GEN.29.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let his left hand be under my head, and his right hand embrace me. (Writings SNG.2.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. (Writings SNG.8.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. (Writings JOB.24.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

More formal than «hug». Past «embraced». You embrace someone (no «with»). It can mean to welcome ideas, not just to hug.