embarrassment

[English embarra ; ment.] I. Ordinary Language: 1. Confusion, or perplexity of mind. "My real, unaffected embarra ment prevents me from expre ing my gratitude to you as I ought."- Burke : Speech to Electors of Bristol . 2. Confusion, entanglement; intricacy of affairs. "Who has extricated himself from the embarra ments he lay under."- Lewis : Thebaid of Statius , bk. i. B. Comm.: A state of being in debt; pecuniary difficulties; debt. For the difference between embarra ments and difficulties , see DIFFICULTY.] *ěm-băr'-rěn, v . t . [Pref. em, and Eng. barren (q. v.).] To cause to be barren; to render barren. "In conjoyned quantities they embarren all the fields about it."- Feltham : Resolves , pt. ii., res. 9. *em-barr'-ing, pr . par . , a . & 8. [EMBAR.] A. & B. As pr. par. & particip. adj.: (See the verb.) C. As subst.: The act of shutting up or inclosing: hindrance. *ěm-bā'se, *em-bace, *im-base, v. t . [Pref. em , and Eng. base , a. (q. v.)] IMG:content-0902.png:[blocks in formation] 1628 5. To debase, to dishonor. Sith all thy worthie prayses being blent Their of spring hath embaste , and later glory shent." Spenser: F. Q., III. ix. 33. ěm-bā se-měnt (1), s . [ Eng.embase ; -ment.] 1. The act or proce of lowering, deteriorating, humbling, or debasing. 2. The state of being debased or lowered in value; debasement. "Queen Elizabeth did by little and little rectify this detestable embasement of coin."-Hale: Hist . Pl. Cr., ch. xvii. ěm-bā se-ment (2), s. [EMBASIS.] Med.: A tub for holding warm water for bathing; an embasis. *em-bas-i-āte, s. [English emba y ; -ate.] An emba y. "He took it highly that his embasiate was deluded."- Sir T. More: Works, p. 60. *ěm-bas-ing, pr . par ., a . & 8. [EMBASE.] A. & B. As pr. par. & particip. adj.: (See the verb.) C. As subst.: The same as EMBASEMENT (q. v.). "Which most manifestly is the embasing of the consul. ship."- North : Plutarch , p. 191.