Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Embrace \Em*brace"\, v. t. [Pref. em- (intens.) + brace, v. t.]
   To fasten on, as armor. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Embrace \Em*brace"\, v. i.
   To join in an embrace.

Embrace \Em*brace"\, n.
   Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the
   bosom; clasp; hug.

         We stood tranced in long embraces, Mixed with kisses.
                                                  --Tennyson.

Embrace \Em*brace"\, 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.

            I will embrace him with a soldier's arm, That he
            shall shrink under my courtesy.       --Shak.

            Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced
            them.                                 --Acts xx. 1.

   2. To cling to; to cherish; to love. --Shak.

   3. To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with
      cordiality; to welcome. ``I embrace these conditions.''
      ``You embrace the occasion.'' --Shak.

            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.

Source : WordNet®

embrace
     n 1: the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in
          greeting or affection) [syn: {embracing}]
     2: the state of taking in or encircling; "an island in the
        embrace of the sea"
     3: a close affectionate and protective acceptance; "his willing
        embrace of new ideas"; "in the bosom of the family" [syn:
        {bosom}]
     v 1: include in scope; include as part of something broader; have
          as one's sphere or territory; "This group encompasses a
          wide range of people from different backgrounds"; "this
          should cover everyone in the group" [syn: {encompass}, {comprehend},
           {cover}]
     2: hug, usually with fondness; "Hug me, please"; "They
        embraced" [syn: {hug}, {bosom}, {squeeze}]
     3: take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone
        and use it as one's own; "She embraced Catholocism"; "They
        adopted the Jewish faith" [syn: {espouse}, {adopt}, {sweep
        up}]