em|bas|sy ◆◇◇ /e mbəsi/ (embassies ) N‑COUNT An embassy is a group of government officials, headed by an ambassador, who represent their government in a foreign country. The building in which they work is also called an embassy . □ The American Embassy has already complained. □ Mr Cohen held discussions at the embassy with one of the rebel leaders.
em|bat|tled / I mbæ t ə ld/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person, group, or organization as embattled , you mean that they are having a lot of problems or difficulties. □ So is it sensible for investors to look for embattled companies?
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An embattled area is one that is involved in the fighting in a war, especially one that is surrounded by enemy forces. □ Both sides want to reach a political settlement in the embattled north of the island.
em|bed / I mbe d/ (embeds , embedding , embedded )
1 VERB If an object embeds itself in a substance or thing, it becomes fixed there firmly and deeply. □ [V n + in ] The bullet blew off the tip of his forefinger before embedding itself in the wall beside Williams' head. [Also V n prep] ● em|bed|ded ADJ □ [+ in ] There is glass embedded in the cut.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something such as an attitude or feeling is embedded in a society or system, or in someone's personality, it becomes a permanent and noticeable feature of it. □ [be V -ed + in ] This agreement will be embedded in a state treaty to be signed soon. ● em|bed|ded ADJ □ [+ in ] I think that hatred of the other is deeply embedded in our society.
em|bel|lish / I mbe l I ʃ/ (embellishes , embellishing , embellished )
1 VERB If something is embellished with decorative features or patterns, it has those features or patterns on it and they make it look more attractive. □ [be V -ed + with ] The stern was embellished with carvings in red and blue. □ [V n] Ivy leaves embellish the front of the dresser.
2 VERB If you embellish a story, you make it more interesting by adding details which may be untrue. □ [V n] I launched into the parable, embellishing the story with invented dialogue and extra details. □ [V -ed] Irving popularized the story in a dramatic and embellished account.
em|bel|lish|ment / I mbe l I ʃmənt/ (embellishments ) N‑VAR An embellishment is a decoration added to something to make it seem more attractive or interesting. □ …Renaissance embellishments. □ …public buildings with little bits of decoration and embellishment.
em|ber /e mbə r / (embers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The embers of a fire are small pieces of wood or coal that remain and glow with heat after the fire has finished burning.
em|bez|zle / I mbe z ə l/ (embezzles , embezzling , embezzled ) VERB If someone embezzles money that their organization or company has placed in their care, they take it and use it illegally for their own purposes. □ [V n] One former director embezzled $34 million in company funds. [Also V ]
em|bez|zle|ment / I mbe z ə lmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Embezzlement is the crime of embezzling money.
em|bit|tered / I mb I tə r d/ ADJ If someone is embittered , they feel angry and unhappy because of harsh, unpleasant, and unfair things that have happened to them. □ He had turned into an embittered, hardened adult.
em|bla|zoned / I mble I z ə nd/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is emblazoned with a design, words, or letters, they are clearly drawn, printed, or sewn on it. □ [+ with ] The walls are emblazoned with a giant collage of photos. □ [+ on ] …a T-shirt with 'Mustique' emblazoned on it. [Also + across ]
em|blem /e mbləm/ (emblems )
1 N‑COUNT An emblem is a design representing a country or organization. □ [+ of ] …the emblem of the Soviet Union. □ …the Red Cross emblem.
2 N‑COUNT An emblem is something that represents a quality or idea. □ [+ of ] The eagle was an emblem of strength and courage.
em|blem|at|ic /e mbləmæ t I k/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something, such as an object in a picture, is emblematic of a particular quality or an idea, it symbolically represents the quality or idea. □ [+ of ] Dogs are emblematic of faithfulness.
2 ADJ If you say that something is emblematic of a state of affairs, you mean that it is characteristic of it and represents its most typical features. □ [+ of ] The killing in Pensacola is emblematic of a lot of the violence that is happening around the world.
em|bodi|ment / I mbɒ dimənt/ N‑SING If you say that someone or something is the embodiment of a quality or idea, you mean that that is their most noticeable characteristic or the basis of all they do. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] A baby is the embodiment of vulnerability.
em|body / I mbɒ di/ (embodies , embodying , embodied )
1 VERB To embody an idea or quality means to be a symbol or expression of that idea or quality. □ [V n] Jack Kennedy embodied all the hopes of the 1960s. □ [be V -ed + in/by ] That stability was embodied in the Gandhi family.
2 VERB If something is embodied in a particular thing, the second thing contains or consists of the first. □ [be V -ed + in/by ] The proposal has been embodied in a draft resolution. □ [V n] U.K. employment law embodies arbitration mechanisms to settle industrial disputes.