take
verbDefinition of take
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to get into one's hands or into one's possession, power, or control: such as
a
: to seize or capture physically
took them as prisoners
b
: to get possession of (fish or game) by killing or capturing
c(1)
: to move against (an opponent's piece, as in in chess) and remove from play
(2)
: to win in a card game
able to take 12 tricks
d
: to acquire by eminent domain
3a
: to catch or attack through the effect of a sudden force or influence
taken with a fit of laughing taken ill
b
: to catch or come upon in a particular situation or action
was taken unawares
4a
: to receive into one's body (as by swallowing, drinking, or inhaling)
take a pill
b
: to put oneself into (sun, air, water, etc.) for pleasure or physical benefit
c
: to partake of : eat
takes dinner about seven
5a
: to bring or receive into a relation or connection
takes just four students a year it's time he took a wife
b
: to copulate with
6
: to transfer into one's own keeping:
a
: appropriate
someone took my hat
b
: to obtain or secure for use (as by lease, subscription, or purchase)
take a cottage for the summer I'll take the red one took an ad in the paper
7a
: assume
gods often took the likeness of a human being when the college took its present form
b(1)
: to enter into or undertake the duties of
take a job take office
(2)
: to move onto or into : move into position on
the home team took the field take the witness stand
c(1)
: to bind oneself by
take the oath of office
(2)
: to make (a decision) especially with finality or authority
d
: to impose upon oneself
take the trouble to do good work take pains to make her feel welcome
e(1)
: to adopt as one's own
take a stand on the issue take an interest
(2)
: to align or ally oneself with
mother took his side
f
: to assume as if rightfully one's own or as if granted
take the credit
g
: to accept the burden or consequences of
took the blame
h
: to have or assume as a proper part of or accompaniment to itself
transitive verbs take an object
8a
: to secure by winning in competition
took first place
b
: defeat
10
: to adopt, choose, or avail oneself of for use: such as
a
: to have recourse to as an instrument for doing something
take a scythe to the weeds
b
: to use as a means of transportation or progression
take the bus
c
: to have recourse to for safety or refuge
take shelter
d
: to go along, into, or through
took a different route
11a
: to obtain by deriving from a source : draw
takes its title from the name of the hero
b(1)
: to obtain as the result of a special procedure : ascertain
take the temperature take a census
(2)
: to get in or as if in writing
take notes take an inventory
(3)
: to get by drawing or painting or by photography
take a snapshot
(4)
: to get by transference from one surface to another
take a proof take fingerprints
c
: to indulge in and enjoy
was taking his ease on the porch
d
: to receive or accept as a return (as in payment, compensation, or reparation)
we don't take credit cards
e
: to accept in a usually professional relationship
—often used with on agreed to take him on as a client
f
: to refrain from hitting at (a pitched ball)
take a strike
13a(1)
: to let in : admit
the boat was taking water fast
(2)
: accommodate
the suitcase wouldn't take another thing
b
: to be affected injuriously by (something, such as a disease) : contract
take cold
also
: to be seized by
take a fit take fright
c
: to absorb or become impregnated with (something, such as dye)
also
: to be effectively treated by
a surface that takes a fine polish
14a
: apprehend, understand
how should I take your remark
d
: feel, experience
take pleasure take an instant dislike to someone take offense
15a