Em-bŏss', v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. EMBOSSED (em-bŏst'); p. pr. & vb. n. EMBOSSING.] [Prefix em, for en, and boss, q. v.]
Sense 1. To cover with bosses or protuberances; hence, to fashion the surface of with raised work; to ornament in relief.
Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss. Milton.
Sense 2. To fashion relief or raised work upon; to cut or form prominent figures on.
O'er the lofty gate his art embossed Androgeo's death. Dryden.
Sense 3. To ornament with worked figures; to embroider. [Rare.]
Exhibiting flowers in their natural colors embossed upon a purple ground. W. Scott.
Sense 4. [O. Fr. emboister, to inclose in a box, to enchase, N. Fr. emboîter, from boiste, boîte, a box, Pr. bostia, boissa, from L. Lat. buxis, Lat. puxis, pyxis. See BOX and EMBOX.] To box up; to inclose; to cover.
A knight her met in mighty arms embossed. Spenser.
Sense 5. [Pr. & Sp. emboscar, It. imboscare, Pg. embascar, Fr. embusquer, from bosc, bosco, a wood, forest, from O. H. Ger. busc, Eng. bush, q. v.] To hide or conceal in a thicket; to plunge into the depths of a wood; to imbosk; hence, to plunge; to immerse. “In the Arabian woods embossed.” Milton. “In ease embossed.” Spenser.
Sense 6. [Sp. embocar, to cast from the mouth.] To hunt, so as to cause to pant and foam from exertion; to blow; as, to emboss a deer or dog.
The savage beast embossed in weary chase. Spenser.