To give physical or tangible form to an idea, quality, or feeling; to represent or express something in a clear and obvious way.
From Middle English, combining 'em-' (in) and 'body'. Originally meant to give a body to something abstract, evolving from the literal sense of providing physical form to the metaphorical sense of representing or exemplifying.
The word 'embody' beautifully captures how abstract concepts can become concrete and visible through people or things. It's fascinating that we use a word about physical bodies to describe how intangible ideas like courage or justice can be made real and recognizable in the world.
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