I.an embracing, encircling, surrounding (mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
I. In gen.: amplexu terrarum, * Lucr. 5, 319: serpentis amplexu, * Cic. Div. 1, 36: “exuit amplexus,” my embrace, Ov. M. 9, 52: “occupat (serpens) hos morsu, longis amplexibus illos,” id. ib. 3, 48: “oceanus, qui orbem terrarum amplexu finit,” Liv. 36, 17; so Plin. 5, 9, 9, § 48; Stat. Th. 6, 255 al.—
II. Esp.
A. A loving embrace, caress (mostly in plur.): “cum dabit amplexus atque oscula dulcia figet,” Verg. A. 1, 687; Vulg. Prov. 7, 18: “inter amplexus flevit,” ib. Gen. 46, 29: “aliquem impedire amplexu,” Ov. M. 2, 433: “dum petis amplexus,” id. H. 14, 69 Ruhnk.; Sen. Thyest. 522; “also: amplexu petere aliquem,” Ov. M. 6, 605: “longe fieri ab amplexibus,” Vulg. Eccl. 3, 5: “circumfusus amplexibus Tiberii sui,” Vell. 2, 123: “tenere aliquem amplexu,” Tac. A. 12, 68: “in amplexus alicujus ruere,” id. ib. 16, 32: “in amplexus ejus effusus,” id. ib. 12, 47.—
