imbrace

present singular third person imbraces · participle present imbracing · participle past imbraced · past imbraced · archaic participle past imbrast · archaic past imbrast

1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of embrace.

   The louer refused of his loue imbraceth death. [poem title]

   1557, unknown, “The Louer Refused of His Loue Imbraceth Death”, in Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey et al., edited by Edward Arber, Tottel’s Miscellany. Songes and Sonettes […] (English Reprints; 24), London: [Edward Arber]; Muir & Paterson, printers, […], published 15 August 1870, →OCLC, page 168

   5 more examples

   There was no faynting faith in that Dogge, which when his Master by a mischaunce in hunting stumbled and fell toppling downe a deepe dytche beyng vnable to recouer of himselfe, the Dogge signifying his masters mishappe, reskue came, and he was hayled up by a rope, whom the Dogge seeying almost drawne up to the edge of the dytche, cheerefully saluted, leaping and skipping vpon his master as though he would haue imbraced hym, beying glad of his presence, whose longer absence he was lothe to lacke.

   1576, Iohannes Caius [i.e., John Caius], “Dogges of a Course Kind Seruing for Many Necessary Uses, Called in Latine Canes Rustici, and First of the Shepherds Dogge, Called in Latine Canis Pastoralis”, in Abraham Fleming, transl., Of Englishe Dogges, the Diuersities, the Names, the Natures, and the Properties. […], imprinted at London: By [John Charlewood for] Rychard Johnes, […], →OCLC; republished London: Printed by A. Bradley, […], 1880, →OCLC, page 31

   There with great joyance and with gladsome glee, / Of faire Paeana I received was, / And oft imbrast, as if that I were hee […]

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “(please specify the book)”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC

   The dreames (braue mates) that did beſet my bed, / VVhen ſleepe but nevvly had imbraſt the night, / Commaunds me leaue theſe unrenovvmed beames, […]

   1594, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Nash[e], The Tragedie of Dido Queene of Carthage: […], London: […] Widdowe Orwin, for Thomas Woodcocke, […], →OCLC, Act IV, signature E2, verso

   I will imbrace him with a ſouldiour's arme, / That he ſhall ſhrinke vnder my curteſie, […]

   c. 1597 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The History of Henrie the Fourth; […], quarto edition, London: […] P[eter] S[hort] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1598, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]

   And after the vprore was ceaſed, Paul called vnto him the diſciples, and imbraced them, & departed, for to go into Macedonia.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 20:1, column 1

plural imbraces

1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of embrace.

   That Gentleman I mean to make the model of my Fortunes, and in his chaſt imbraces keep alive the memory of my loſt lovely Loveleſe: he is ſomewhat like him too.

   c. 1613–1616, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, “The Scornful Lady, a Comedy”, in Fifty Comedies and Tragedies. […], [part 1], London: […] J[ohn] Macock [and H. Hills], for John Martyn, Henry Herringman, and Richard Marriot, published 1679, →OCLC, Act III, scene i, page 72, column 1