Embark, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embarked; p. pr. & vb. n. Embarking.]
Etymology: [F. embarquer; pref. em- (L. in) + barque bark: cf. Sp. embarcar, It. imbarcare. See Bark. a vessel.]
1. To cause to go on board a vessel or boat; to put on shipboard.
2. To engage, enlist, or invest (as persons, money, etc.) in any affair; as, he embarked his fortune in trade. It was the reputation of the sect upon which St. Paul embarked his salvation. South.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Embark, v. i.
1. To go on board a vessel or a boat for a voyage; as, the troops embarked for Lisbon.
2. To engage in any affair. Slow to embark in such an undertaking. Macaulay.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists embark only as an antonym, under reach.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given