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Hug vs Embrace - What's the difference?

hug | embrace |

Embrace is a synonym of hug.



As nouns the difference between hug and embrace

is that hug is an affectionate close embrace while embrace is hug noun; putting arms around someone.

As verbs the difference between hug and embrace

is that hug is to crouch; huddle as with cold while embrace is to clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

hug

English

(wikipedia hug)

Noun

(en noun)
  • An affectionate close embrace.

    • Verb

    (hugg)
  • (obsolete) To crouch; huddle as with cold.
    • (Palsgrave)
  • To cling closely together.
  • To embrace by holding closely, especially in the arms.
  • To stay close to (the shore etc.)
  • * , chapter=8
    • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=We toted in the wood and got the fire going nice and comfortable. Lord James still set in one of the chairs and Applegate had cabbaged the other and was hugging the stove.}}
  • (figurative) To hold fast; to cling to; to cherish.
  • * Glanvill
    • We hug deformities if they bear our names.

    Synonyms

    * accoll (obsolete) * coll * embrace

    See also

    * cuddle * huggle * kiss * snuggle * squeeze

    Derived terms

    * body-hugging ----

    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.