[f. EMBRACE v.2 + -ING2.] That encircles, surrounds or encloses.

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1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. xii. 54. A porch … Archt over head with an embracing vine.

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1621.  G. Sandys, Ovid’s Met., II. (1626), 21. The Land-imbracing Sea.

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1863.  E. V. Neale, Anal. Th. & Nat., 98. The all-embracing Divine Being.

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  Hence Embracingly adv., in an embracing manner: a. as one or as those who embrace; b. with wide comprehension, comprehensively. Embracingness, the quality of that which embraces or comprehends; comprehensiveness.

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1825.  Blackw. Mag., XVIII. 451. ’Tween whose soft breasts lie nestling fervent love And maiden modesty embracingly.

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1850.  T. T. Lynch, Theoph. Trinal, v. 78. I knelt before her half embracingly.

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1872.  Contemp. Rev., XX. 823. The absoluteness which means all-embracingness.

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1882.  Mabel Collins, Cobwebs, III. 151. The wide embracingness of his stern cruelty.

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