Part 682

Syn. -- To hinder; perplex; entangle; confuse; puzzle; disconcert; abash; distress. -- To Embarrass, Puzzle, Perplex. We are puzzled when our faculties are confused by something we do not understand. We are perplexed when our feelings, as well as judgment, are so affected that we know not how to decide or act. We are embarrassed when there is some bar or hindrance upon us which impedes our powers of thought, speech, or motion. A schoolboy is puzzled by a difficult sum; a reasoner is perplexed by the subtleties of his opponent; a youth is sometimes so embarrassed before strangers as to lose his presence of mind.

Em*bar"rass, n. [F. embarras. See Embarrass, v. t.] Embarrassment. [Obs.] Bp. Warburton.

Em*bar"rass*ment (?), n. [F. embarrassement.] 1. A state of being embarrassed; perplexity; impediment to freedom of action; entanglement; hindrance; confusion or discomposure of mind, as from not knowing what to do or to say; disconcertedness.

The embarrassment which inexperienced minds have often to express themselves upon paper.

W. Irving.

The embarrassments tom commerce growing out of the late regulations.

Bancroft.

2. Difficulty or perplexity arising from the want of money to pay debts.

Em*base" (?), v. t. [Pref. em- + base, a. or v. t.: cf. OF. embaissier.] To bring down or lower, as in position, value, etc.; to debase; to degrade; to deteriorate. [Obs.]

Embased the valleys, and embossed the hills.

Sylvester.

Alloy in coin of gold . . . may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it.

Bacon.

Such pitiful embellishments of speech as serve for nothing but to embase divinity.

South.

Em*base"ment (?), n. [From Embase, v. t.] Act of bringing down; depravation; deterioration. South.

Em"bas*sade (?), n. [F. ambassade. See Embassy.] An embassy. See Ambassade. [Obs.] Shak.

Em*bas"sa*dor (?), n. [F. ambassadeur, Sp. embajador, LL. ambassiator, ambasciator. See Embassy, and cf. Ambassador.] Same as Ambassador.

Stilbon, that was a wise embassadour, Was sent to Corinth.

Chaucer.

Myself my king's embassador will go.

Dryden.

Em*bas`sa*do"ri*al (?), a. [Cf. F. ambassadorial.] Same as Ambassadorial.

Em*bas"sa*dress (?), n. [Cf. F. ambassadrice.] Same as Ambassadress.

Em*bas"sa*dry (?), n. [Cf. OF. ambassaderie.] Embassy. [Obs.] Leland.

Em"bas*sage (?; 48), n. 1. An embassy. "He sent a solemn embassage." Bacon.

Except your embassages have better success.

Motley.