amplexus, ūs, m. amplector, an embracing, encircling, surrounding (mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose). 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.

— Esp. 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.

— Euphemist., Ov. M. 4, 184; Juv. 6, 64; Sil. 11, 399 Drak.