Container indicator

embrace

“embrace” is a container indicator in cryptic crosswords.

One piece of wordplay is wrapped around or inserted into another. Containers use the imagery of holding, enclosing, or swallowing.

Clue types: Container
Forms: embrace, embraces, embracing
Subtlety: moderate
Part of speech: verb, participle
Themes: containment

Worked example

“Devil embracing Romeo, an ally (6)”

Answer: FRIEND

Definition: "an ally". "Devil" gives a word for a wicked being: FIEND. "Romeo" is the phonetic-alphabet letter R. "embracing" tells us FIEND wraps around R. Putting R inside FIEND gives FRIEND.

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