Em*bar"rass, n. [F. embarras.
See Embarrass, v. t.]
Embarrassment. [Obs.] Bp. Warburton.
Em*bar"rass (ĕm*băr"ras), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Embarrassed (-
rast); p. pr. & vb. n. Embarrassing.]
[F. embarrasser (cf. Sp. embarazar, Pg.
embaraçar, Pr. barras bar); pref. em- (L.
in) + LL. barra bar. See Bar.]
1. To hinder from freedom of thought, speech, or
action by something which impedes or confuses mental action; to
perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may
embarrass an orator.
2. To hinder from liberty of movement; to
impede; to obstruct; as, business is embarrassed; public
affairs are embarrassed.
3. (Com.) To involve in difficulties
concerning money matters; to incumber with debt; to beset with urgent
claims or demands; -- said of a person or his affairs; as, a man or
his business is embarrassed when he can not meet his pecuniary
engagements.
Syn. -- To hinder; perplex; entangle; confuse; puzzle;
disconcert; abash; distress. -- To Embarrass, Puzzle,
Perplex. We are puzzled when our faculties are confused
by something we do not understand. We are perplexed when our
feelings, as well as judgment, are so affected that we know not how
to decide or act. We are embarrassed when there is some
bar or hindrance upon us which impedes our powers of thought,
speech, or motion. A schoolboy is puzzled by a difficult sum;
a reasoner is perplexed by the subtleties of his opponent; a
youth is sometimes so embarrassed before strangers as to lose
his presence of mind.