Abash vs Embrace - What's the difference?

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between abash and embrace

is that abash is (obsolete) to lose self-possession; to become ashamed while embrace is (obsolete) to cling to; to cherish; to love.

As verbs the difference between abash and embrace

is that abash is to make ashamed; to embarrass; to destroy the self-possession of, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to disconcert; to discomfit while embrace is to clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

As a noun embrace is

hug (noun); putting arms around someone.

abash

English

Verb

(es)

To make ashamed; to embarrass; to destroy the self-possession of, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to disconcert; to discomfit.

"He was a man whom no check could abash ." – .

(obsolete) To lose self-possession; to become ashamed.

Usage notes

* Of abash, confuse, confound: Abash' is a stronger word than '''confuse''', but not so strong as ' confound . ** We are abashed'' when struck either with sudden shame or with a humbling sense of inferiority; as, Peter was ''abashed'' by the look of his Master. So a modest youth is ''abashed in the presence of those who are greatly his superiors. ** We are confused'' when, from some unexpected or startling occurrence, we lose clearness of thought and self-possession. Thus, a witness is often ''confused'' by a severe cross-examination; a timid person is apt to be ''confused in entering a room full of strangers. ** We are confounded'' when our minds are overwhelmed, as it were, by something wholly unexpected, amazing, dreadful, etc., so that we have nothing to say. Thus, a criminal is usually ''confounded at the discovery of his guilt. *::* Satan stood Awhile as mute, confounded what to say. – John Milton

Synonyms

* confuse * confound * disconcert * shame * humiliate * embarrass * See also

Antonyms

* embolden * reassure

Derived terms

* abashed * abashedly * abashedness * abashless * abashment

Anagrams

* *

References

embrace

English

Alternative forms

* imbrace (obsolete)

Verb

(embrac)

To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

* Shakespeare

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

* Bible, Acts xx. 1

Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them.

(obsolete) To cling to; to cherish; to love.

(Shakespeare)

To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.

I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.

* Shakespeare

You embrace the occasion.

* John Locke

What is there that he may not embrace for truth?

To accept; to undergo; to submit to.

* Shakespeare

I embrace this fortune patiently.

To encircle; to encompass; to enclose.

* Dryden

Not that my song, in such a scanty space, / So large a subject fully can embrace .

* Denham

Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed, / Between the mountain and the stream embraced .

To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.

Natural philosophy embraces many sciences.

To fasten on, as armour.

(Spenser)

(legal) To attempt to influence (a jury, court, etc.) corruptly.

(Blackstone)

Noun

(en noun)

Hug (noun); putting arms around someone.

*:a delighted shout from the children swung him toward the door again. His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ "Phil! You! Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow!" recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.

(metaphorical) Enfolding, including.