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em·bed  (ĕm-bĕd) also im·bed (ĭm-)
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Tweet v. em·bed·ded, em·bed·ding, em·beds also im·bed·ded or im·bed·ding or im·beds v.tr. 1. To fix firmly in a surrounding mass: embed a post in concrete; fossils embedded in shale. 2. a. To cause to be an integral part of a surrounding whole: "a minor accuracy embedded in a larger untruth" (Ian Jack). b. Linguistics To insert or position (a clause or phrase) within a clause or phrase. c. Computers To insert (a virus, for example) into a software program. 3. To assign (a journalist) to travel with a military unit during an armed conflict. 4. Biology To enclose (a specimen) in a supporting material before sectioning for microscopic examination. v.intr. To become embedded: The harpoon struck but did not embed. n. (ĕmbĕd′) One that is embedded, especially a journalist who is assigned to an active military unit. em·bedment n. |
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