Law. Forms: 5 ymbrasour, 6 enbracer, 6–9 embraceor, 6– embracer. [a. AF., OF. embraceor, -ascor instigator, ‘boutefeu, ou qui par male signification duyt autre a mal faire’ (Gloss cited by Godef.), f. embraser lit. ‘to set on fire,’ EMBRASE v.; for the development of meaning cf. ENTICE v. The word was used in the statute 38 Edw. III. st. 11. cap. 12, which provides penalties for les embraceours demesner ou procurer tielx enquestes, i.e., those who instigate to bring about such (fraudulent) inquests as have been previously referred to in the act. The contextual meaning of the word in this passage seems to have become its technical sense; hence, by back-formation, EMBRACE v.3]
One who attempts to influence a jury corruptly.
1495. Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 24. Preamb., Unlawfull mayntenours, ymbrasours and Jurrours.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 90. Enbracer of questis or other comon mysdoers.
1581. Lambarde, Eiren., III. i. (1588), 313. The same Iustices … shall also certifie the names of the maintainours and embracers.
1598. Kitchin, Courts Leet (1675), 411. Embraceor is he which comes to the Bar with the party, and speaks in the matter, or is there to overlook the jury, or to put them in fear.
1607. Cowell, Interpr., s.v. Decies tantum, It lieth also against embracers that procure such an enquest (by suborning a jury).
1697. View of Penal Laws, 312. If the Juror or Embracer have not whereof to make gree, he shall suffer a years imprisonment.
1809. Tomlins, Law Dict., s.v., If the party himself instruct a juror, or promise any reward for his appearance, then the party is likewise an embraceor.
