embrace
em·brace / emˈbrās/ • v. [tr.] hold (someone) closely in one's arms, esp. as a sign of affection: Aunt Sophie embraced her warmly [intr.] the two embraced, holding each other tightly. ∎ accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically: much of the population quickly embraced the new laws. ∎ include or contain (something) as a constituent part: his career embraces a number of activities—composing, playing, and acting.• n. an act of holding someone closely in one's arms: they were locked in an embrace. ∎ fig. used to refer to something that is regarded as surrounding or holding someone securely, esp. in a restrictive or comforting way: the first of the former Soviet republics to free itself from the embrace of Moscow.DERIVATIVES: em·brace·a·ble adj.em·brace·ment n.em·brac·er n.