† emˈbrase, v. Obs.
Also 5 enbrace, embrass, 6 enbrase, 7 Sc. embrayis.
[a. F. embrase-r, f. en in + *brase, braise hot charcoal.]
1. trans. To set on fire.
| 1480 Caxton Ovid's Met. xiv. i, Ethna, the hye montayne Embrased w{supt} fyre of helle. 1579 Fenton Guicciard. xiii. (1599) 607 The powder..being embrased of the fire. |
2. fig. To inflame with passion, etc.
| 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 88/1 Saynt Nicholas enbraced with the loue of god sette hym hardyly ayenst the righter. 1490 ― Eneydos xiv. 50 Her grete desire embrasid wyth the swete flamme of loue. a 1605 Montgomerie Bankis Helicon 102 Hir birning beawtie dois embrayis My breist. |
Hence † emˈbrasing ppl. a.
| 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de Worde) iv. xxi. (1506) 242 For fere of theues or of the enbrasynge fyre. |