embitter
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in one's care): The clerk embezzled £1000 from the bank where she worked. --ment n [U] --zler n
em·bit·ter /ɪmˈbɪtə/ v [T often pass.] to fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry: He was embittered by his many disappointments.
em·bla·zon /ɪmˈbleɪzən/ also blazon v [T+obj+on, with] 1 to decorate (a shield or flag) with a COAT OF ARMS: a flag with the family arms emblazoned on it | a flag emblazoned with the family arms 2 to show in a very noticeable way: The manufacturer's name is emblazoned on the packet. -> see SPREAD (USAGE)
em·blem /ˈembləm/ n [(of)] an object which is regarded as the sign of something, e.g. of a country, a group, or an idea: The national emblem of England is a rose. -> compare SYMBOL
em·ble·mat·ic /ˌembləˈmætɪk/ adj [(of)] acting as an emblem: The crown is emblematic of the power of a king. --~ally /-kli/ adv
em·bod·i·ment /ɪmˈbɒdɪmənt || ɪmˈbɑ-/ n [(the) S+of] someone or something that represents, includes, or is very typical of something: The new factory is the embodiment of the very latest ideas. | He is the embodiment of evil. (=is very evil)
em·bod·y /ɪmˈbɒdi || ɪmˈbɑːdi/ v [T(in)] 1 to include; INCORPORATE: The new car embodies many improvements. | Many improvements are embodied in the new car. 2 fml to express (an idea, principle etc) in a real or physical form that can be seen or noticed: The country's constitution embodies the ideals of freedom and equality. | She embodies her principles in her behaviour.
em·bold·en /ɪmˈbəʊldən/ v [T] fml to give (someone) greater courage or the necessary courage to do something: The protesters were emboldened by the fact that the police were unarmed. | [+obj+to-v] She smiled, and this emboldened him to speak to her.
em·bo·lism /ˈembəlɪzəm/ n med (something, such as a hardened mass of blood or an amount of air, which causes) a blocking of a tube which carries blood through the body
em·bos·omed /ɪmˈbʊzəmd/ adj [F+adv/prep] poet enclosed or surrounded: a house embosomed in trees
em·boss /ɪmˈbɒs || ɪmˈbɑs, -ˈbːs/ v [T] 1 to make a raised pattern on the surface of (metal, paper, leather etc): [+obj+with] The firm's paper is embossed with its name and address. 2 to produce (an address or a decoration) in a form raised above the surface of metal, paper, leather etc: The paper bore an embossed heading. | [+obj+on] The name and address of the firm are embossed on its paper.
em·brace¹ /ɪmˈbreɪs/ v 1 [I;T] to take and hold (someone or each other) in the arms as a sign of love: She embraced her son tenderly. | The two sisters met and embraced. 2 [T] fml to include or cover: This course of study embraces every aspect of the subject. | an all-embracing course 3 [T] fml to make use of or accept eagerly: to embrace an opportunity 4 [T] fml to become a believer in: She embraced socialism/the Muslim faith.
embrace² n an act of embracing: They met in a tender embrace.
em·bra·sure /ɪmˈbreɪʒə/ n an opening in the thick wall of a fort or castle that gets either wider or narrower towards the outside
em·bro·ca·tion /ˌembrəˈkeɪʃən/ n [C;U] a liquid medicine used for rubbing a part of the body that is stiff or aching from exercise; it often smells very strongly -> compare LINIMENT
em·broi·der /ɪmˈbrɔɪdə/ v 1 [I;T(with)] to make a decorative needlework picture or pattern (on or of): She sat embroidering to pass the time. | The dress was embroidered with flowers/in silk thread. | I embroidered wildflowers and birds on the cloth. | an embroidered tablecloth 2 [T(with)] to improve (a story or account of events) by adding details from the imagination; EMBELLISH
em·broi·der·y /ɪmˈbrɔɪdəri/ n 1 [C;U] (something made by) embroidering: I did an embroidery of wildflowers and birds. | She's very good at embroidery. 2 [U] imaginary details that are added to improve a story: Just tell me the truth without a lot of embroidery!
em·broil /ɪmˈbrɔɪl/ v [T(in) often pass.] to cause (oneself or another) to join in an argument or other difficult situation: John and Peter were quarrelling, but Mary refused to get embroiled (in the argument).
em·bry·o /ˈembriəʊ/ n pl. -os 1 the young of a creature in its first state before birth or before coming out of an egg -> compare FOETUS 2 in embryo still developing; incomplete: The plans are still in embryo.
em·bry·on·ic /ˌembriɒnɪk || -ˈɑːnɪk/ adj in an undeveloped or very early state of growth
em·cee, MC /ˌemˈsiː/ n AmE infml for MASTER OF CEREMONIES --emcee v [I;T]
e·mend /ɪˈmend/ v [T] to take the mistakes out of (something written) before printing -> compare AMEND ---ation /ˌiːmenˈdeɪʃən/ n [C;U]
em·e·rald /ˈemərəld/ n [C;U] (the colour of) a bright green precious stone: a ring set with emeralds | emerald green curtains
Emerald Isle, the a name for Ireland, used in literature, often humorously. It is called this because the countryside is very green.
e·merge /ɪˈmɜːdʒ || -ɜːr-/ v [I(from)] 1 to come out or appear from inside or from being hidden: The sun emerged from behind the clouds. | (fig.) Several interesting new poets have emerged in recent years. 2 to become known, especially as a result of inquiry: Eventually the truth of the matter emerged. | [it+that] It later emerged that the driver of the car had been drunk. 3 to be in a particular condition following a (usually difficult) event or experience: The President has emerged from this incident with his reputation intact. | After the election, the socialists emerged as the largest single party. 4 to become an independent nation no longer ruled by another country: Sophisticated weapons systems are being sold to emerging nations. --emergence n [U] The 1960s saw the emergence of many new nations.
e·mer·gen·cy /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi || -ɜːr-/ n an unexpected and dangerous happening which must be dealt with at once: Ring the bell in an emergency. (=if there is an emergency) | an emergency exit (=for use in an emergency) | The rioting grew worse and the government declared a state of emergency. | an emergency meeting of the leadership
e'mergency ,room n AmE for CASUALTY
e'mergency ,services n [P] BrE official organizations such as the police or the fire service, that deal with crime, fires, and injuries
e·mer·gent /ɪˈmɜːdʒənt || -ɜːr-/ adj [A] in the early stages of existence or development: the emergent nations of Africa
e·mer·i·tus /ɪˈmerɪtəs/ adj [A; after n] (often cap.) (of a PROFESSOR or other university teacher) no longer holding office but keeping one's title; often used after RETIREMENT: the emeritus professor of chemistry | She is Professor Emeritus of Latin.
Em·er·son, Ralph Wal·do /ˈeməsən || -mər-, rælf ˈwɔːldəʊ/ (1803-82) a US poet and writer who had great influence on the religious and PHILOSOPHICAL thought of his time
em·er·y /ˈeməri/ n [U] (usually in comb.) powdered CORUNDUM (=a very hard mineral) which is used for polishing things and making them smooth: She rubbed it with emery paper. (=paper with emery stuck to it) | He filed his nails with an emery board.
e·met·ic /ɪˈmetɪk/ n; adj (something, especially medicine) eaten or drunk to cause a person to bring up food from the stomach through the mouth: If someone drinks poison, give them an emetic at once.
EMF, the /ˌiː em ˈef/ abbrev. for EUROPEAN MONETARY FUND
EMI /ˌiː em aɪ/ trademark a British record LABEL
em·i·grant /ˈemgrənt/ n a person who emigrates -> compare IMMIGRANT; see EMIGRATE (USAGE)
em·i·grate /ˈemgreɪt/ v [I(from to)] to leave one's own country in order to go and live in another: Her family emigrated to America in the 1850s. --gration /ˌemˈgreɪən/ n [C;U]
People who emigrate are emigrants from the country that they leave, and their action is called emigration: A ship full of emigrants left Liverpool for Australia. But from the point of view of the country they