em|bold|en / I mboʊ ld ə n/ (emboldens , emboldening , emboldened ) VERB If you are emboldened by something, it makes you feel confident enough to behave in a particular way. □ [be V -ed] The party has been emboldened by recent local election successes. □ [V n] Four days of non-stop demonstrations have emboldened the anti-government protesters.
em|bo|lism /e mbəl I zəm/ (embolisms ) N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] An embolism is a serious medical condition that occurs when an artery becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot.
em|bossed / I mbɒ st, [AM ] -bɔː st/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a surface such as paper or wood is embossed with a design, the design stands up slightly from the surface. □ [+ with ] The paper on the walls was pale gold, embossed with swirling leaf designs.
em|brace / I mbre I s/ (embraces , embracing , embraced )
1 VERB If you embrace someone, you put your arms around them and hold them tightly, usually in order to show your love or affection for them. You can also say that two people embrace . □ [V n] Penelope came forward and embraced her sister. □ [V n] At first people were sort of crying for joy and embracing each other. □ [V ] He threw his arms round her and they embraced passionately. ● N‑COUNT Embrace is also a noun. □ …a young couple locked in an embrace.
2 VERB If you embrace a change, political system, or idea, you accept it and start supporting it or believing in it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He embraces the new information age. □ [be V -ed] The new rules have been embraced by government watchdog organizations. ● N‑SING Embrace is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The marriage signalled James's embrace of the Catholic faith.
3 VERB If something embraces a group of people, things, or ideas, it includes them in a larger group or category. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …a theory that would embrace the whole field of human endeavour.
em|broi|der / I mbrɔ I də r / (embroiders , embroidering , embroidered )
1 VERB If something such as clothing or cloth is embroidered with a design, the design is stitched into it. □ [be V -ed + with ] The collar was embroidered with very small red strawberries. □ [V n] Matilda was embroidering an altar cloth covered with flowers and birds. □ [V -ed] I have a pillow with my name embroidered on it. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you embroider a story or account of something, or if you embroider on it, you try to make it more interesting by adding details which may be untrue. □ [V n] He told some lies and sometimes just embroidered the truth. □ [V + on ] She embroidered on this theme for about ten minutes.
em|broi|dery / I mbrɔ I dəri/ (embroideries )
1 N‑VAR Embroidery consists of designs stitched into cloth. □ The shorts had blue embroidery over the pockets.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Embroidery is the activity of stitching designs onto cloth. □ She learned sewing, knitting and embroidery.
em|broil / I mbrɔ I l/ (embroils , embroiling , embroiled ) VERB If someone embroils you in a fight or an argument, they get you deeply involved in it. □ [V n + in ] Any hostilities could result in retaliation and further embroil U.N. troops in fighting. [Also V n]
em|broiled / I mbrɔ I ld/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you become embroiled in a fight or argument, you become deeply involved in it. □ [+ in ] Peasant farmers became embroiled in a dispute with local landowners.
em|bryo /e mbrioʊ/ (embryos )
1 N‑COUNT An embryo is an unborn animal or human being in the very early stages of development. □ …the remarkable resilience of very young embryos.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An embryo idea, system, or organization is in the very early stages of development, but is expected to grow stronger. □ They are an embryo party of government. □ It was an embryo idea rather than a fully worked proposal.
em|bry|ol|ogy /e mbriɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Embryology is the scientific study of embryos and their development. ● em|bry|olo|gist /e mbriɒ lədʒ I st/ (embryologists ) N‑COUNT □ …a genetic embryologist at the hospital.
em|bry|on|ic /e mbriɒ n I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An embryonic process, idea, organization, or organism is one at a very early stage in its development. [FORMAL ] □ …Romania's embryonic democracy. □ …embryonic plant cells.
em|cee /e msiː / (emcees , emceeing , emceed )
1 N‑COUNT An emcee is the same as a master of ceremonies . [AM ]
2 VERB To emcee an event or performance of something means to act as master of ceremonies for it. [AM ] □ [V n] I'm going to be emceeing a costume contest. □ [V ] That first night I emceed I was absolutely terrified.
em|er|ald /e mərəld/ (emeralds )
1 N‑COUNT An emerald is a precious stone which is clear and bright green.
2 COLOUR Something that is emerald is bright green in colour. □ …an emerald valley.
emerge ◆◆◇ / I mɜː r dʒ/ (emerges , emerging , emerged )
1 VERB To emerge means to come out from an enclosed or dark space such as a room or a vehicle, or from a position where you could not be seen. □ [V ] Richard was waiting outside the door as she emerged. □ [V + from ] The postman emerged from his van soaked to the skin. □ [V -ing] …holes made by the emerging adult beetle.