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A small sandglass, running about three minutes, for marking time in boiling eggs; also, a small glass for holding an egg, at table.

confuses mental action; to perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may embarrass an orator.

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 co…

An embassy. See Ambassade. [Obs.] Shak.

Same as Ambassador. Stilbon, that was a wise embassadour, Was sent to Corinth. Chaucer. Myself my king's embassador will go. Dryden.

Same as Ambassadorial.

Same as Ambassadress.

Embassy. [Obs.] Leland.

An embassy. "He sent a solemn embassage." Bacon. Except your embassages have better success. Motley.

The public function of an ambassador; the charge or business intrusted to an ambassador or to envoys; a public message to; foreign court concerning state affairs; hence, any solemn message. He sends the angels on embassies with his decrees. Jer. Taylor.

To move with passion; to affect strongly. See Impassion. [Obs.] Those sights empassion me full near. Spenser.

Strongly affected. [Obs.] The Briton Prince was sore empassionate. Spenser.

In passing; in the course of any procedure; -- said specif. (Chess),

go round so as to surround closely; to encircle; to inclose; to environ; as, a ring encompasses the finger; an army encompasses a city; a voyage encompassing the world. Shak. A question may be encompassed with difficulty. C. J. Smith. The love of all thy sons encompass thee. Tennyson.

The act of surrounding, or the state of being surrounded; circumvention. By this encompassment and drift of question. Shak.

A heap; accumulation. [R.]

To make a vassal of. [Obs.]

A lens of glass to assist the sight. Eyeglasses are used singly or in pairs.

A variety of pyroxene, from the valley of Fassa, in the Tyrol.

Vegetable fiber, as jute or ramie, prepared for manufacture.