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ember1 definition

em·ber (em′bər)

noun

  1. a glowing piece of coal, wood, etc. from a fire; esp., such a piece smoldering among ashes
  2. the smoldering remains of a fire

Etymology: ME eymere & (with intrusive -b) eymbre < OE æmerge (& ON eimyrja) < æm- (akin to ON eimr, steam) + -yrge (akin to ON ysja, fire) < IE base *eus-, to burn > L urere, to burn

ember2 definition

em·ber (em′bər)

adjective

designating or of three days (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday) set aside for prayer and fasting in a specified week of each of the four seasons of the year in various Christian churches

Etymology: ME (SE dial.) embyr-, as in embyr-dayes < OE ymbren, lit., a coming around < ymbryne, circuit, revolution < ymb, round (akin to ambi-) + ryne, a running (< base of run)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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