\Em*bar"rass\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Embarrassed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Embarrassing}.] [F. embarrasser (cf. Sp.
embarazar, Pg. embara?ar, Pr. barras bar); pref. em- (L. in)
+ LL. barra bar. See {Bar}.]
1. To hinder from freedom of thought, speech, or action by
   something which impedes or confuses mental action; to
   perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may
   embarrass an orator.
2. To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to
   obstruct; as, business is embarrassed; public affairs are
   embarrassed.
3. (Com.) To involve in difficulties concerning money
   matters; to incumber with debt; to beset with urgent
   claims or demands; -- said of a person or his affairs; as,
   a man or his business is embarrassed when he can not meet
   his pecuniary engagements.
Syn: To hinder; perplex; entangle; confuse; puzzle;
     disconcert; abash; distress. -- To {Embarrass},
     {Puzzle}, {Perplex}. We are puzzled when our faculties
     are confused by something we do not understand. We are
     perplexed when our feelings, as well as judgment, are so
     affected that we know not how to decide or act. We are
     embarrassed when there is some bar or hindrance upon us
     which impedes our powers of thought, speech, or motion.
     A schoolboy is puzzled by a difficult sum; a reasoner is
     perplexed by the subtleties of his opponent; a youth is
     sometimes so embarrassed before strangers as to lose his
     presence of mind.

\Em*bar"rass\, n. [F. embarras. See {Embarrass}, v.
t.]
Embarrassment. [Obs.] --Bp. Warburton.