Hug English doctor before contest (7)

I believe the answer is:

embrace

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

'english doctor before contest' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'doctor before' becomes 'mb' (Bachelor of Medicine. I am not sure about the 'before' bit.).
'contest' becomes 'race' (race is a kind of contest).
'e'+'mb'+'race'='EMBRACE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for embrace that I've seen before include "Include (in one's arms)" , "Include, contain" , "Hold affectionately" , "Include - hug" , "Include - clasp" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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