Part 681

Em*bank" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embanked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Embanking.] [Pref. em- + bank. Cf. Imbank.] To throw up a bank so as to confine or to defend; to protect by a bank of earth or stone.

Em*bank"ment (?), n. 1. The act of surrounding or defending with a bank.

2. A structure of earth, gravel, etc., raised to prevent water from overflowing a level tract of country, to retain water in a reservoir, or to carry a roadway, etc.

Em*bar" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embarred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Embanking.] [Pref. em- + bar: cf. F. embarrer. Cf. Embargo.] 1. To bar or shut in; to inclose securely, as with bars.

Where fast embarred in mighty brazen wall.

Spenser.

2. To stop; to hinder by prohibition; to block up.

He embarred all further trade.

Bacon.

Em`bar*ca"tion (?), n. Same as Embarkation.

Em*barge" (?), v. t. To put in a barge. [Poetic] Drayton.

Em*bar"go (?), n.; pl. Embargoes (#). [Sp., fr. embargar to arrest, restrain; pref. em- (L. in) + Sp. barra bar, akin to F. barre bar. See Bar.] An edict or order of the government prohibiting the departure of ships of commerce from some or all of the ports within its dominions; a prohibition to sail.

If the embargo is laid on an enemy's ships, it is called a hostile embargo; if on the ships belonging to citizens of the embargoing state, it is called a civil embargo.

Em*bar"go, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embargoed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Embargoing.] To lay an embargo on and thus detain; to prohibit from leaving port; -- said of ships, also of commerce and goods.

Em*bark" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embarked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Embarking.] [F. embarquer; pref. em- (L. in) + barque bark: cf. Sp. embarcar, It. imbarcare. See Bark. a vessel.] 1. To cause to go on board a vessel or boat; to put on shipboard.

2. To engage, enlist, or invest (as persons, money, etc.) in any affair; as, he embarked his fortune in trade.

It was the reputation of the sect upon which St. Paul embarked his salvation.

South.

Em*bark", v. i. 1. To go on board a vessel or a boat for a voyage; as, the troops embarked for Lisbon.

2. To engage in any affair.

Slow to embark in such an undertaking.

Macaulay.

Em`bar*ka"tion (?), n. 1. The act of putting or going on board of a vessel; as, the embarkation of troops.

2. That which is embarked; as, an embarkation of Jesuits. Smollett.

Em*bark"ment (?), n. [Cf. F. embarquement.] Embarkation. [R.] Middleton.

Em*bar"rass (m*br"ras), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embarrassed (- rast); p. pr. & vb. n. Embarrassing.] [F. embarrasser (cf. Sp. embarazar, Pg. embaraçar, Pr. barras bar); pref. em- (L. in) + LL. barra bar. See Bar.] 1. To hinder from freedom of thought, speech, or action by something which impedes or confuses mental action; to perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may embarrass an orator.

2. To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct; as, business is embarrassed; public affairs are embarrassed.

3. (Com.) To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to incumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands; -- said of a person or his affairs; as, a man or his business is embarrassed when he can not meet his pecuniary engagements.