Eastern doctor before run given hug (7)

I believe the answer is:

embrace

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'hug' is the definition.
(to embrace someone is to hug them)

'eastern doctor before run given' is the wordplay.
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'doctor' becomes 'MB' (Bachelor of Medicine, Medicinae Baccalaureus).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'run given' becomes 'race' (synonyms. I am not sure about the 'given' bit.).
'e'+'mb'+'race'='EMBRACE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for embrace that I've seen before include "Hug or accept eagerly" , "Loving hug" , "willingly take" , "affectionate greeting" , "Hold affectionately" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app