Take v. World English Historical Dictionary

Take v. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1916, rev. 2022. Take v. Pa. t. took; pa. pple. taken. Forms: see below. [Late OE. tacan, tóc, *tacen, a. ON. taka, tók, tekinn (OSw. taka, Sw. taga, Da. tage), to grasp, grip, seize, lay hold of, take, which appears c. 1100, in late parts of the OE. Chron., first in MS. D, and then a. 1150 also in E, and elsewhere, but may have been in use in the Dane-law district a. 1000. In ME. it gradually superseded the OE. niman (see NIM v.), and has been, during the later ME. and the whole mod.Eng. period, the simplest and most direct word for the general notion expressed by Da. tage, Sw. taga, Ger. nehmen, Da. nemen, Fr. prendre, It. prendere, Sp., Pg. tomar, L. capĕre, sumĕre, Gr. λαμβάνειν, Russ. братъ, взятъ, Heb. lāqax, etc. ON. taka was app. cognate with MDu. and mod.EFris. tāken to lay hold of, grasp, seize, catch; it was also in ablaut-relation to Goth. têkan, taitôk, têkans to touch (with the hands, etc.). With the sense in Gothic cf. ON. taka á, late OE. tacan on to touch.]

1   A.  Illustration of Forms and Inflexions.

2   Take is, like shake, forsake, a strong vb. of the 6th ablaut series In northern ME. the k and following short vowel in take, takes, taken were often suppressed, leaving the forms ta, tas, tan, of which ta, tay, survives in Eng. dialects, tane in Sc. and many Eng. dialects, ta’en in Eng. poets. The reduction of the pa. t. to tō is obs., rare, and doubtful. A weak pa. t. taked occurs from 13th c., and is, with tayed, teaed, tade, still dialectal. For the pa. pple. taken, the pa. t. took has been common since 16th c. in vulgar speech and in dialects, which have also tooken, tooked. In the pa. pple. ton(e for the northern tan(e occasionally appears. See Eng. Dial. Dict.

3   1.  Infin., and Pres. α. 2 tacan (tæcen), 3–5 taken, -yn; 4 tac, 4–5 (6– Sc.) tak, 5 taake, 6 taik(e, Sc. tack; 3– take.

4 c. 1100.  O. E. Chron., an. 1076 (MS. D). Ac se kynge … hine let syððan tacan. Ibid. (a. 1154), an. 1140. On þis ȝær wolde þe king Stephne tæcen Rodbert.

5 a. 1272.  Luue Ron, 64 in O. E. Misc., 95. Al deþ hit wile from him take.

6 13[?].  K. Alis., 1799 (Bodl. MS.). Þat he shulde of þe werlde & þee Taken tol.

7 13[?].  Cursor M., 563 (Cott.). Þe god to tak and leue þe ill. Ibid., 2812 (Gött.). His mohwes … þat suld his dohutris tac.

8 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 367. Þai schal taake no þinge ellis.

9 c. 1400.  Lay Folks Mass Bk., Bidding Prayer ii. 64. Ensaumpil for to tak.

10 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 485/2. Takyn, or receyvyn.

11 1538.  Kath. Bulkeley, in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden), 230. He … will not taike my answere.

12 1546.  Yorks. Chantry Surv. (Surtees), II. 454. No man will taik yt.

13 1562.  Winȝet, Cert. Tractatis, III. Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 34. That this tumult tak rest.

14 1573.  Tyrie, Refut., in Cath. Tractates (S.T.S.), 14. He culd nocht tack tent to sic trifflis.

15 1785.  Burns, To the Deil, xxi. O wad ye tak a thought an’ men’!

16   β.  contr. 4 (5–6 Sc.) ta, taa, 4–6 (9 dial.) tay, tae, 5 tan.

17 c. 1340.  Cursor M., 1250 (Gött.). Hugat þu sal ta [Cott. tak; Fairf., Trin. take] þi right way.

18 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, X. 610. And thair abaid thair aynd to ta.

19 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, iii. (Andreas), 11. Sanct Andrew his way can tay.

20 c. 1400.  Laud Troy Bk., 1742. Thelaman … nold her not to his spouse tan.

21 c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), ii. 153. Quhen thay saw Sym sic curage ta.

22 1570.  in J. Redford, Mor. Play Wit & Sc., etc. (Shaks. Soc.), 91. Eche swete corde eche ere woolde tay.

23 1865.  Waugh, Besom Ben, vii. Wheer are yo beawn to tay mo too?

24   2.  Imper. α. 3–4 tac, 4–5 (6– Sc.) tak, 4– take; pl. 3 takez, 4 -es, -is, 5 takeþ. β. contr. 4–6 ta, pl. tas (4 tatz).

25 c. 1200.  Ormin, 8355. Josæp, ris upp & tacc þe child & tacc þe childess moderr.

26 c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 7. Tac þe to him treoweliche.

27 13[?].  Cursor M., 15233 (Cott.). Takes and etes o þis bred.

28 13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 735. Tatz to non ille, Ȝif I mele a lyttel more.

29 13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 413. Ta now þy grymme tole to þe. Ibid., 1396. Tas yow þere my cheuicaunce.

30 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 77. Tak reward of þy value.

31 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 661 (Trin.). Beþ war & takeþ good entent.

32 a. 1510.  Douglas, King Hart, II. 149. First witnes thow me ta.

33 1816.  Scott, Old Mort., xliii. This is the way; follow me,… sir, but tak tent to your feet.

34   3.  Pres. Indic. (special forms). a. 2nd pers. sing. α. 4 takes, 4–5 -is, 5 -yst, 5– takest. β. contr. 4 tas, 5 taas.

35 13[?].  Cursor M., 18358 (Cott.). Þou þat … fra þi folk þair sinnes takes [Gött. takis; c. 1425 Trin. takest, Laud takyst]. Ibid., 27132 (Cott.), Þou þi bising tas be oþer men.

36 c. 1430.  Christ’s own Compl., 464, in Pol. Rel., & L. Poems (1866), 197. No tent þou taas.

37 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, II. 85. To quhom takis thow this thing?

38   b.  3rd pers. sing. α. 2 tæcþ, 3–4 takeþ, -eð, 4–5 takith, 4–7 (8– arch.) taketh; 4– takes, 6 Sc. takis, tekis).

39 a. 1150.  MS. 303 Corp. Chr. Coll. Cambr., 178 (Napier). Swa hwæt swa hit on tæcþ.

40 c. 1275.  Lay., 3361. And takeþ hit his child.

41 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 3193. Þe comli quen þan takeþ meliors by þe hande.

42 13[?].  Cursor M., 29274 (Cott.). On þam þis cursing stede first takes That [etc.].

43 1382.  Wyclif, Matt. x. 38. He that takith nat his crosse.

44 1484.  Caxton, Fables of Æsop, V. xiii. He is not wyse whiche … taketh debate or stryf.

45 1571.  Satir. Poems Reform., xxix. 41. The Duvill … tekis forme of Angell bryte.

46   β.  contr. 4–5 tas (4 tath), 4–6 Sc. tais, 5 tase, tace.

47 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xviii. (Egipciane), 270. Gret dowt in his hart he tais.

48 1390.  Gower, Conf., II. 129. He therof his part ne tath.

49 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 1666. He … Tas him to his tresory.

50 c. 1430.  Brut, 406. Thanne Vmfreuyle, his leue he tace [rhyme space].

51 a. 1450.  Le Morte Arth., 956. Sir Gawayne … to conselle he tase [rhymes was, case, has].

52   c.  pl. α. 4 taken, 5 -yn; β. contr. 4 tas.

53 1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 566. Or hure tenful tach ȝe taken ensample.

54 1357.  Lay Folks Catech., 244. What thing so we gete, or tas.

55   4.  Past Indic. (and Subj.). α.1 ? 1 tóc, 2–3 toc, 3–4 tock, 3–5 tok, 3–6 toke, (4 toek, ? to), 5–7 tooke, 4– took. pl. ? 1 tócon, 2 tocan, 3–5 token, 4 tokene, tooken, 5 tokyn.

56 c. 1100.  O. E. Chron. (MS. D), an. 1075. He … tóc [MS. E nam] swilce ȝerihta swa he him ȝelaȝade.

57 c. 1200.  Ormin, Pref. 9. Crist toc dæþ o rodetre.

58 c. 1275.  Lay., 54. He … þane hilke boc tock us to bisne.

59 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 5864. As me him drinke tok. Ibid., 6651. Þis erl … toc hire þe castel of bruges.

60 13[?].  Cursor M., 13152 (Cott.). To þe bure sco tok hir pas. Ibid., 16454. Quen þai þe fine gold forsoke, And to [v.r. toke] þam to þe lede.

61 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. (MS. Rawl.), XVI. 269 + 3. He softe ȝede, Þat he toek vs as tit. Ibid. (1393), C. IV. 47. Mede … took hym a noble For to be hure bedman.

62 c. 1420[?].  Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 421. She toke hym by the hande. Ibid., 1888. I … myn hert to me tooke.

63 1579.  Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 80. Lucilla … toke him by the hand.

64 1641.  Hinde, J. Bruen, xlviii. 156. A little before hee tooke his Chamber.

65   c. 1100.  O. E. Chron. (MS. D), an. 1076. And [hi] tócon þær inne mycele æhta. Ibid. (1154) (MS. E), an. 1136. Þa tocan þa oðre & helden her castles aȝenes him.

66 c. 1200.  Ormin, 6492. Þeȝȝ tokenn nihhtess reste þær.

67 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3194. Alle ðe bones ðe he ðor token.

68 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 3987. A lettre hii toke þe kinge.

69 13[?].  St. Erkenwolde, 57, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 267. Quen tithynges tokene to þe tone.

70 c. 1380.  Lay Folks Catech. (Lamb. MS.), 1211. Whan we tok cristyndom.

71 1382.  Wyclif, John i. 5. Derknessis tooken not it.

72 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 4696. Þai … tokyn the tresure.

73 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. ii. 145. To hem whiche token and helden tho ymagis to be her Goddis.

74   α.2 (Sc. and n. dial.) 4–9 tuk, 5–9 tuke, (5 twke, 6 twik, tuike), 6– tuik.

75 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, i. (Petrus), 36. He hym tuk to be hym by In his transfiguracion.

76 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, I. 78. King Eduuard than it tuk in gret greuance.

77 1533.  Gau, Richt Vay (S. T. S.), 32. The sone … twik apone hyme our natur.

78 c. 1560.  Rolland, Seven Sages (1837), A ij. I … tuke gude nicht.

79 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. (S.T.S.), 100. He tuke thame, he eit thame rawe. Ibid., X. 320. His recreatioune he tuike in Caris hous.

80 Mod. Sc. We tuik them wi’ us.

81   β.  3 takede, 5– taked. (See Eng. Dial. Dict.)

82 c. 1205.  Lay., 3333. Þe we swa takede him on.

83 1485.  Waterf. Arch., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 318. That spoiled, robbed, or taked ony of the Kyngs liege men.

84   5.  Past pple. α. 2–4 itaken, 4 ytakyn; 4– taken, (4–5 takin, -yn, 5 yne, -on, -un, 6 takne, taking; 7 taiken, Sc. taikin).

85 c. 1175.  Itaken [see B. 14].

86 c. 1205.  Itaken [see take on: 84 i].

87 c. 1320.  Cast. Love, 202. Þe blisse of lyf he haþ forsaken, And to deolful deþ him taken.

88 c. 1330.  Assump. Virg. (B.M. MS.), 625. When þi lord was ytakyn.

89 c. 1375.  Cursor M., 4875 (Fairf.). Qua-so ys takin wiþ stollyn þinge.

90 a. 1380.  S. Bernard, 612, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1878), 51/2. Wiþ seknesse stronge He was itaken.

91 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 1512. His towne was takon.

92 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. iv. 159. Weel takun of wise men.

93 1537.  Wriothesley, Chron. (Camden), I. 60. The sayd Halam was takne.

94 1552.  Lyndesay, Monarche, 5539. Quhilkis salbe taking, but warnyng.

95 1629.  Reg. Privy Council Scotl., Ser. II. III. 25. We … have taikin thame.

96   β.  contr. 3–5 itake, 4–5 ytake; 4–7 take, 5 (6 pseudo-Sc.) tak.

97 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6106. Nou adde heyemen of þe lond itake … His fader ostage god ynou.

98 1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 721. Ȝe schullen … offren to venus A ful derworþe douue on his den take.

99 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XI. 254. So is … pouerte or penaunce pacientlyche ytake.

100 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VIII. 79. At Turon he was i-take wiþ a fevere.

101 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., cxciii. Sche hath me tak, hir humble creature.

102 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 928 (Trin.). Þat erþe þou were of take.

103 c. 1440.  Pallad. on Husb., III. 906. To graffe a quynce is diuers tyme ytake.

104 c. 1450.  Merlin, 296. And his wif [was] also I-take.

105 1559.  Mirr. Mag. (1563), I j. Shortly after was Kyng Henry take, And put in pryson.

106 1605.  Take.  [see B. 49].

107   γ.  contr. 4 y-tan; 4–5 tan, 4–8 tane, (4 tene, 4 (6 Sc.) tain, 4–5 tayn, 5–6 Sc. tayne, 6 taan, teyne, Sc. teine, 6–7 taine, 7 taen), 7–8 ta’ne, 9 (poet. and dial.) ta’en; (erron.) 5 ton, 5 (6 pseudo-Sc.) tone.

108 c. 1320.  Sir Tristr., 1000. Now haþ tristrem y tan Oȝain moraunt to fiȝt.

109 c. 1340.  Hampole, Prose Tr. (1866), 1. Ihesu the Worde of God has tane manes kynde.

110 13[?].  Cursor M., 4896 (Cott.). Lok þai alle be tain [v.rr. tan, tane, take] and bonden. Ibid., 16058 (Cott.). Þai him had tene [v.rr. tane, taken] al wit tresun.

111 c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet, 2112. Þen sall þis rewel eft furth be ton [rhyme gon].

112 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, II. 400. Wallace … Apon the crag with his suerd has him tayne.

113 1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, xlvi. 102. That he … nocht in the feindis net be tone [rhyme allone].

114 c. 1520.  Nisbet, N. T. in Scots, Acts i. 11. Quhilk is taan vp fra you into heuen.

115 c. 15[?].  Sir A. Barton, in Surtees Misc. (1888), 68. Where that Scoott hath teyne frome the a grootte.

116 a. 1578.  Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S. T. S.), I. 197. Gif he had teine it.

117 1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. v. 60. The Prince hath ta’ne it hence. Ibid. (1602), Ham., I. iii. 107. That you have tane his tenders for true pay.

118 a. 1631.  Drayton, Triumph David, 805. The sword taen from the giant’s side.

119 c. 1645.  Howell, Lett., v. 30. He hath taine such a habit of it.

120 1653.  Nissena, 43. From the time she had taen upon her the yoke of marriage.

121 1875.  Tennyson, Q. Mary, V. v. The Holy Father Has ta’en the legateship from our cousin Pole.

122   δ.  6–7 tooke, 7–8 (9 dial. and illit.) took; 7–9 tooken.

123 1592.  Kyd, Sol. & Pers., III. i. 5. My brothers ghoasts … would now haue tooke their rest.

124 1610.  Donne, Pseudo-Martyr, 352–3. The Popes haue tooken order, not onley to insert the oath into the body of the Canon Lawe, but to enact thereby, [etc.].

125 1633.  P. Fletcher, Pisc. Ecl., V. ix. Thus many a Nymph is took.

126 a. 1667.  Jer. Taylor, Rev. to Altar, Wks. 1849, V. 323. God hath tooke seisure of it.

127 1790.  Cook’s Voy., V. 1808. Having took our departure from Prince William’s Sound.

128 1899.  Betram-Edwards, Lord of Harv., 155. Mr. Flindell … has took you up in his gig.

129   ε.  6 taked.

130 1512.  Helyas, in Thoms, Prose Rom. (1828), III. 24. My sonne hath taked the quene Beatrice … to his wife.

131 1581.  Rich, Farew. Milit. Prof. (1846), 207. Till he had taked his firste fruites.

132   B.  Signification.

133   The earliest known use of this verb in the Germanic languages was app. to express the physical action ‘to put the hand on,’ ‘to touch’—the only known sense of Gothic têkan. By a natural advance, such as is seen in English in the use of ‘lay hands upon,’ the sense passed to ‘lay hold upon, lay hold of, grip, grasp, seize’—the essential meaning of Old Norse taka, of MDu. taken, and of the material senses of take in English. By the subordination of the notion of the instruments, and even of the physical action, to that of the result, take becomes in its essence ‘to transfer to oneself by one’s own action or volition (anything material or non-material).’ This becomes then the general or ordinary sense of the verb, which falls into two main divisions, take in the sense of ‘seize, grip,’ hence ‘appropriate,’ and take in the sense of ‘receive or accept what is handed to one.’ Subordinate to these are the non-material senses of ‘assume, adopt, apprehend, comprehend, comprise, contain.’ For the common element of all these notions take is the simple and proper term, for which no simpler can be substituted. It is one of the elemental words of the language, of which the only direct explanation is to show the thing or action to which they are applied.

134   Take also enters into a great number of idiomatic phrases, which are often difficult to analyse. Many of these are parallel to, and influenced by French phrases with prendre: see F. H. Sykes, French Elements in Middle English, Oxford, 1899.

135   General arrangement of senses: I. To touch. II. To seize, grip, catch. III. Ordinary current sense, i. with material obj.; ii. with non-material obj. IV. To choose, take for a purpose, into use. V. To derive, obtain from a source. VI. To receive, accept, admit, contain. VII. To apprehend mentally, comprehend. VIII. To undertake, perform, make. IX. To convey, conduct, deliver, apply or betake oneself, go. X. Idiomatic uses with special obj. XI. Intransitive uses with preposition. XII. Adverbial combinations = compound verbs. XIII. Idiomatic phrases, and Phrase-key.

136   I.  † 1. To touch (intr. with on, also trans.: = ON. taka á, and taka). Obs.

137 a. 1150.  MS. 303 Corp. Chr. Coll. Cambr., 178 (Napier). Soðlice þæt ilce ele is swa mihtiȝ & swa strange þæt swa hwæt swa hit on tæcþ, þærrihtes hit eall forbærnð. Ibid., 179. Sona swa þæt ele toc on þæt wæter, þa aras þær upp swiðe mycel fyr.

138 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3456. Abute ðis munt ðu merke make, If erf or man ðor-one take, It dead ðolen.

139 c. 1250.  Old Kent. Serm., in O. E. Misc., 31. Ure lord him seide and spredde his hond, and tok his lepre.

140 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 10969 (Cott.). I and mi wijf on ald tas.

141 1340.  Ayenb., 91. Be zyȝþe, be hyerþe, be smellinge, be zuelȝynge, and be takynge.

142   II.  To seize, grasp, capture, catch, and related senses. * in literal and physical sense.

143   2.  trans. To lay hold upon, get into one’s hands by force or artifice; to seize, capture, esp. in war; to make prisoner; hence, to get into one’s power, to win by conquest (a fort, town, country). Also, to apprehend (a person charged with an offence), to arrest; to seize (property) by legal process, as by distraint, etc. See also take by STORM.

144 c. 1100.  O. E. Chron., an. 1072 (MS. D). Se kyng nam heora scypa & wæpna,… & þa menn ealle he toc, & dyde of heom þæt he wolde. Ibid., an. 1076. Ac se kyngc … hine let syöðan tacan. Ibid. (1154), an. 1140 (Laud MS.). And te Lundenissce folc hire wolde tæcen.

145 c. 1200.  Ormin, 5948. & tatt he siþþenn takenn wass All gilltelæs & bundenn & naȝȝledd uppo rodetre.

146 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4896. Lok þai alle be tain and bonden. Ibid., 18554. Als prisun þai him tok for-þi.

147 c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 5894. My modir is of gret prowesse: She hath tan many a fortresse.

148 c. 1450.  Merlin, 13. The Iuges made hir to be taken, and brought hir be-fore them.

149 c. 1460.  Brut, 524. Þei londed & come to Sandwych … & toke the town, & ryfled & dispoyled it.

150 1526.  Tindale, Matt. iv. 12. When Iesus had herde that Ihon was taken, he departed in to Galile.

151 1600.  E. Blount, trans. Conestaggio, 184. Hauing quietly taken the other two gallions, they entred within the Porte.

152 1658.  Cokaine, Trappolin, I. i. He is your brothers prisoner … That in the wars of Mantoa was took.

153 1736.  Lediard, Life Marlborough, I. 180. The English took about 200 Prisoners.

154 1803.  Pic Nic, II. No. 8. 61. I was taken into custody.

155 1854.  J. S. C. Abbott, Napoleon (1855), II. 372. I took two guns and retook two.

156   b.  To catch, capture (a wild beast, bird, fish, etc.); also of an animal, to seize or catch (prey).

157 c. 1200.  Ormin, 13504. Rihht alls an hunnte takeþþ der Wiþþ hise ȝæpe racchess.

158 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3323. Ðor miȝte euerilc man fuȝeles taken.

159 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), v. 15. Þai take wylde bestes riȝt wele.

160 1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., xxxi. (Percy Soc.), 154. Wo worth the beaute which toke me in snare.

161 1563.  B. Googe, Sonnets (Arb.), 82. By hydden hooke, the symple fole is tane.

162 1648.  Hunting of Fox, 23. They keep packs of dogs, or Beagles, on purpose to take them by hunting.

163 1801.  Strutt, Sports & Past., I. ii. 33. The present methods of taking fish.

164 1892.  Longm. Mag., Nov., 87. They are readily taken by nets.

165 1899.  Rider Haggard, Swallow, iii. The women and the little ones … were taken by wild beasts.

166   c.  subj. in imprecations.

167 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lvii. 192. Mahounde take his soule!

168 1600, 1749.  [see DEVIL sb. 17].

169 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 298/1. Here he comes again!—deuce take him.

170 1856.  Reade, Never Too Late, I. The devil take the hindmost.

171 1904.  Isabel F. Hapgood, trans. Tugenev’s Novels, X. The Jew, 12. Akh, devil take thee!

172   d.  In various games, as chess, cards, etc.: To capture (an adversary’s piece, card, etc.) so as to put it out of play; also (Cards) to gain possession of (a trick): see TRICK sb. (Also said of the piece, card, etc., by which the taking is effected).

173 14[?].  Beryn, 1812. The next drauȝt aftir, he toke a roke for nauȝte.

174 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., xxi. 71 (Harl. MS.). Whenne he [the pawn at chess] goth aside, he takith anoþer.

175 1562.  Rowbothum, Play Cheasts, B iv b. Thou shalt take his knight with thy Quene.

176 1735.  Bertin, Chess, 55. The king takes the queen.

177 1840.  P. Parley’s Ann., I. 263. A pawn takes the enemy angularly.

178   e.  Cricket. To catch (the ball) off the bat so as to put the batsman ‘out’ (also with the batsman as obj.); of the bowler, To ‘capture’ (a wicket) by striking it with the ball (or otherwise).

179 1882.  Daily Tel., 17 May. A minute or two later Walker was smartly taken at the wicket off Garrett. Ibid., 24 June. Lucas, who had been fielding at long-off, running at full speed, managed to take it [the ball]. 1883 Ibid., 15 May, 2/7. He was … taken at cover-point by Woof.

180 1890.  Field, 10 May, 672/2. Studd … was then beautifully taken at long-off.

181   3.  To lay hold of, grasp (with the hand, arms, etc.); to seize and hold. To take in one’s arms, to embrace. Often const. by the hand, head, horns, tail, etc.: see HAND sb. 46, BULL sb.1 1 c. Cf. also take hold in Phrases below (69).

182 a. 1225.  Juliana, 70. He rende his claðes ant toc him scoluen bi þe top.

183 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2364 (Cott.). Ta loth þi broþer sun in hand, To chanaan ȝee most now drau.

184 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 147. To my Crist, whos riȝt hond I haue i-take.

185 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. XXII. 170. Crist … took thomas by þe hand.

186 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 4357 (Trin.). She toke him aboute þe necke wiþ þis And profered hir mouþ to kis.

187 c. 1500[?].  in Joseph Arim., 30. He toke me by the hande and so ledde me in myn house.

188 1600.  W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 117. He tooke him by the sleeve, as they were in going over a stile.

189 1709.  Steele & Addison, Tatler, No. 114 ¶ 1. He took me by the Hand.

190 1825.  New Monthly Mag., XIV. 361. I took her hand and kissed her.

191 1890.  F. Barrett, Betw. Life & Death, III. 106. He took her in his arms.

192   4.  intr. Of a hook, a mechanical device, etc.: To catch, engage: usually const. into.

193 c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 1608. Sith he pullith at his croke, So fast in to the flesh it toke.

194 1729.  Desaguliers, in Phil. Trans., XXXVI. 197. The Pall or Lever … does so communicate with the Catch, that … the Catch always takes.

195 1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), IX. 9. The teeth of these four wheels take alternately into the teeth of four racks.

196 1825.  J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 310. The next tooth of the pinion will take into the gap in the end of the rack. Ibid., 513. These pins take into holes in the plate, made exactly to fit them.

197 1856.  Kane, Arct. Expl., II. xxvi. 262. A floe, taking upon a tongue of ice…, began to swing upon it like a pivot.

198   b.  trans. Of a mechanical appliance, etc.: To ‘lay hold of’; to act upon by contact, adhesion, or the like.

199 1659.  Leak, Waterwks., 25. So as the Saws may take the said peece again.

200 1849.  Pellatt, Curios. Glass Making, 94. The punty takes the flat end by adhesion.

201 1894.  Harper’s Mag., July, 191/2. The blades no longer take the water together.

202   5.  trans. To strike, hit, impinge upon (a person, etc.), usually in, on (across, over, etc.) some part; also with the part as obj.; = CATCH v. 11.

203   [The notion here seems to have been originally to catch or get at a person by means of the part named, which catches the blow that otherwise might have passed.]

204 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 8224. Ector turnet with tene, toke hym on þe hed.

205 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, I. 403. Wallas with it [the poutstaff] fast on the cheik him tuk. Ibid., III. 175. As he glaid by, aukwart he couth hym ta.

206 1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., xl. (Percy Soc.), 202. Unto me than he came full softely, And with his staffe he toke me on the brest.

207 1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., I. iv. 159. Take him on the Costard, with the hiltes of thy Sword.

208 1670.  Cotton, Espernon, II. v. 201. He was … taken upon the head with a stone.

209 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), I. iii. 52. The blow taking my side and breast, beat the breath, as it were, quite out of my body.

210 1748.  Anson’s Voy., I. x. 104. A mountainous … sea took us upon our starboard quarter.

211 1795.  Hist., in Ann. Reg., 70/1. A masked battery took them in flank.

212 1806–7.  J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), vi. Introd. The kick of a horse … took me across the ribs.

213 1891.  Blackw. Mag., CL. 651/2. When a sheep runs amuck, he is … a living catapult, that, if he took you fair, would knock the life out of you.

214 1893.  Chamb. Jrnl., 3 June, 350/1. The ball took him squarely between the eyes.

215   b.  With double obj.: e.g., to take any one a blow.

216 1448.  Paston Lett. (1901), IV. 19. He … toke his master on the hepe suyche a stroke that … brake his hepe.

217 c. 1590.  Marlowe, Faust., vii. 96. Cursed be he that took Friar Sandelo a blow on the pate!

218 1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., III. ii. 165. This mad-brain’d bridegroome tooke him such a cuffe. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., II. i. 189. If he tooke you a box o’th’eare.

219 1781.  C. Johnston, Hist. J. Juniper, II. 161. Taking him a blow full in the pit of his stomach.

220 1867.  J. Payn, Lights and Shadows of London Life, I. 230–1. A cricket-ball took me over the eye—here—at Eton, and they have given me great powers of Calculation ever since in consequence of the bump.

221 Mod. colloq. The ball took me an awful whack on the chest.

222   6.  absol. or intr. a. Of a plant, seed, or graft: To ‘get hold’ of that on which it grows; to take root, ‘strike,’ germinate, begin to grow.

223 c. 1440.  Pallad. on Husb., II. 153. In reed erthe ek a vyne is hard to take. Ibid., III. 576. But euery day me most hit delue & wete Vntil hit take.

224 1530.  Palsgr., 747/1. A yonge plante or sette begynneth to take whan it groweth up.

225 1661.  J. Childrey, Brit. Baconica, 14. Fruit fails in one countrey, and takes in another.

226 1712.  J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 184. The Oak being in its own Nature very difficult to take again.

227 1802.  Forsyth, Fruit Trees, i. (1824), 2. The cherry and plum will never take upon each other … but the apricot will take upon all sorts of plums.

228 1891.  Cosmopolitan, XII. 87/2. Patches where the seed has failed to take.

229 1892.  Field, 10 Dec., 883/3. We planted a thousand cedars of Lebanon, with shoots 6 in. high, and we have no doubt that they will take well.

230   b.  Of ink, etc.: To adhere to the paper, parchment, etc.

231 1883.  R. Haldane, Workshop Receipts, Ser. II. 192/1. The use of ox-gall, which makes the ink ‘take,’ has also the disadvantage of making it frequently ‘run.’

232   **  with either the action or the agent non-material.

233   7.  trans. Of a disease, a pain, an injurious or destructive agency, natural or supernatural, magical, etc.; also of a notion, fancy, feeling, etc.: To affect, seize, lay hold of, attack. Also in imprecations, as ‘pest’ or ‘plague take him.’

234 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11823 (Cott.). Wit þe crache him tok the scurf [Trin. Þe ȝicche toke him sikerly].

235 a. 1325.  Prose Psalter, xlvii[i]. 5. Drede toke hem.

236 1450–80.  trans. Secreta Secret., 31. Than mayst thou ete … as thyn appetit takith the.

237 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lvii. 194. For a colyke that hath taken me in the ryght syde.

238 a. 1553.  [see MISCHIEF 9 b].

239 a. 1566.  [see PLAGUE 3 d].

240 1581.  Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., I. (1586), 12 b. Moued by some sodaine toie which taketh them in the head.

241 1598.  Shaks., Merry W., IV. iv. 32. He blasts the tree, and takes the cattle.

242 1604.  E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, VII. xxiii. 565. Fire tooke the Temple.

243 1661.  Cowley, Disc. Govt. O. Cromwell, Wks. 1710, II. 664. Now the Freak takes him.

244 1707.  Mortimer, Husb., 173. No Beast will eat sour Grass till the Frost hath taken it.

245 1889.  Temple Bar Mag., Dec., 451. An intense weariness of life took him.

246 1892.  Cassell’s Fam. Mag., Aug., 515/2. What in the name of wonder has taken the girl?

247 1893.  National Observer, 7 Oct., 542/2. He admired as the humour took him.

248   absol.  1602.  Shaks., Ham., I. i. 163. Then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm.

249   b.  pass. To be seized, attacked, or affected (with disease, a fit, fancy, etc.); to ‘have an attack’ of something.

250 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 8915 (Cott.). Sco es wode and wit warlagh tan [Trin. wiþ fende Itake].

251 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 157. He was i-take with sikenesse and deyde.

252 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 261/2. Infectyn … as menne take wythe pestylence.

253 1526.  Tindale, Matt. iv. 24. All sicke people, that were taken with diuers diseases and gripinges.

254 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, xlviii. 162. He was taken in loue.

255 1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, 609. The astonied members, or limmes taken with colde.

256 1680.  Dryden, Spanish Friar, III. i. I am taken on the sudden with a grievous swimming in my Head.

257 1865.  Dickens, Mut. Fr., IV. xiii. Mrs. Boffin was then taken with a laughing fit of clapping her hands, and clapping her knees.

258 1888.  Florence Warden, Witch of Hills, I. xiii. 273. I was going to be taken with a fit.

259   c.  pass. (ellipt.) To have a seizure or attack; to be seized with sudden illness, pain, disease, numbness, or other affection (physical or mental). ? Obs. exc. dial.

260 1450–1530.  Myrr. our Ladye, 29. Where the soule was take a non & sore tormented longe tyme togidre.

261 1568.  Turner, Herbal, III. 40. Good for membres that are num or taken.

262 1607.  Markham, Caval., VII. (1617), 11. A horse that is taken our common Farriers say to be planet strooke.

263 c. 1642.  Ld. Herbert, in Life (1770), 45. Others … standing stiff and stark … seem as if they were taken in their joynts.

264   d.  pass. with complemental adj., as to be taken ill (formerly blind, hoarse, lame), to be seized or struck with illness, etc. Rarely in active: see quot. 13[?]. Also humorously (quot. 1838).

265 13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., A. 1157. No thyng myȝt me dere To fech me bar & take me halte.

266 1588.  Parke, trans. Mendoza’s Hist. China, 48. Whatsoeuer children be borne a creeple … or by sicknes be taken lame.

267 1657.  W. Rand, trans. Gassendi’s Life Peiresc, I. 64. Being soon after taken blind.

268 1662.  J. Wilson, Cheats, V. iii. Being taken very ill of a sudden.

269 1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 96, ¶ 2. Master Harry was taken very ill of a Fever.

270 1802.  Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. iv. 21. She was taken ill in the night.

271 1838.  Dickens, Nich. Nick., xxviii. ‘Oh, charming!’ interrupted Kate’s patroness, who was sometimes taken literary.

272 1891.  Harper’s Mag., April, 750/1. He was taken hoarse at the last moment.

273   e.  intr. for pass., with compl., as to take ill = to be taken ill, to fall or become ill. Also humorously (quot. 18902). colloq. and dial.

274 1674.  N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 131. A woman … who took with child in the very fit of a Third Ague.

275 1822.  J. Hodgson, in Raine, Mem. (1857), I. 400. My father-in-law took ill.

276 1890.  Healy, Insula Sanct., 317. He took sick and died in the island.

277 1890.  Illustr. Lond. News, 29 Nov., 686/3. Then, too, he took studious, and … pored over great tomes and learned things.

278 1903.  Trevelyan, in Independent Rev., Dec., 409. Mr. William Pitt … took ill and died after Austerlitz.

279 1922.  J. W. Whilt, Rhymes of the Rockies, 65.        When old Ed Enders first took ill, ’Twas first a fever and then a chill.

280   f.  intr. To catch, catch hold: esp. of fire, to seize upon combustible substances, to be kindled, begin burning; also of a condition, humor, fancy, etc. (cf. 10 c). Now rare.

281 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. clviii. 192. All the base court was afyre, so that the fyre … toke into the couerynge of a great towre couered with rede.

282 1634–5.  Brereton, Trav. (Chetham Soc.), 43. The fire first took in rape-oil.

283 1639.  S. Du Verger, trans. Camus’ Admir. Events, 110. Rottennesse takes sooner in apples, which are bruised.

284 1700.  T. Brown, Amusem. Ser. & Com., 52. When any Humour Takes in London.

285 1803.  Ann. Rev., II. 189/1. The tinder was ready, and the spark took.

286   8.  trans. To ‘catch’ or come upon (any one) in some action or situation; fig. to catch or detect in († with) a fault or error. To take tardy: see TARDY.

287   The first two quotations connect this with sense 2.

288 [1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 227. Pomphilia … was I-take into [v.r. in] leccherie.

289 c. 1400.  Apol. Loll., 6. Many popis han synnyd, and ben snybbid; and sum tan in heresy and deposid.]

290 1577.  Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1663), 85. By reasoning with this old Apelles, I took him with many falshoods.

291 1597.  Morley, Introd. Mus., 95. In which fault you haue beene nowe thrise taken.

292 1602.  Narcissus (1893), 91. What was that I tooke you all a gabling tother day?

293 1607.  R. Johnson, Pleas. Conceites Old Hobson (Percy Soc.), 15. His man seeing himselfe so taken napping, for a time stood amazed.

294 1652.  Gaule, Magastrom., 331. The poore astrologers, who had already been taken with so many lies.

295 1668.  Shadwell, Sullen Lovers, I. i. I am glad I’ve taken you within, I come on purpose to tell you the news, d’ye hear it?

296 1885.  Mrs. Harrison (‘Lucas Malet’), Col. Enderby’s Wife, VII. ii. The doctor was not easily taken off his guard.

297   b.  To come upon suddenly, overtake, catch. Obs. or arch. exc. in certain phrases: see take SHORT, take by SURPRISE, take at UNAWARES.

298 [13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1811. Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille, ne pine.]

299 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, xlviii. 161. At last a wynd toke them whether they wolde or not.

300 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 210. A tempest toke them on the sea, that put them so farre out of their course.

301 1611.  Bible, Ecclus. xxxvi. 26. A man that … lodgeth wheresoeuer the night taketh him.

302 1890.  Clark Russell, Occan Trag., II. xxi. 181. We were at breakfast when the first of the wind took us.

303   9.  † a. To take to task; to reprehend, rebuke. Obs. b. To check, ‘pull up,’ interrupt. dial. (Cf. take up, 90 m, n.).

304 c. 1250.  Old Kent. Serm., in O. E. Misc., 32. Þo a-ros up ure lord and tok þane wynd and þo [MS. to] see; and al-so raþe hit was stille.

305 a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, IV. (1622), 415. And therewith taking himself … said hee.

306 1637.  Rutherford, Lett., xcviii. (1862), I. 251. But this is my infirmity. By His grace I take myself in these ravings.

307   10.  To catch the fancy or affection of; to excite a liking in; to captivate, delight, charm; to ‘fetch.’

308 1605.  [see TAKING ppl. a. 2].

309 1609.  B. Jonson, Sil. Wom., I. i. Such sweet neglect more taketh me, Than all th’ adulteries of art. Ibid. (1623), To the memory of Shaks., 76. Those flights vpon the bankes of Thames, That so did take Eliza, and our Iames!

310 1656.  Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini, Pol. Touchstone (1674), 289. With a readiness that much took all the Literati.

311 1686.  W. De Britaine, Hum. Prud., iv. (ed. 3), 15. Take the Vulgar by your Civilities.

312 1830.  Tennyson, To the Owl, II. i. Thy tuwhoos … Which upon the dark afloat, So took echo with delight.

313 1890.  F. Barrett, Betw. Life & Death, II. xxi. 78. You took the whole audience.

314 1891.  Galton, La Fenton, I. viii. 193. Scarcely the man to take the fancy of a very young girl.

315   b.  pass. const. with, less usually by.

316 1535.  Coverdale, Prov. vi. 25. Lest thou be taken with hir fayre lokes.

317 1622.  Bacon, Hen. VII., 153. King James … taken by Perkins amiable and alluring behaviour … entertained him … as became the person of Richard Duke of Yorke.

318 1641.  W. Mountagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 286. The King and Queen seemed to be much taken with … the entertainment.

319 1798.  Charlotte Smith, Yng. Philos., IV. 110. I was quite taken with the spirit and beauty of the young gentlewoman.

320 1867.  Carlyle, Remin. (1881), II. 23. He was much taken with my little Jeannie, as he well might be.

321   c.  absol. or intr. To take = to take the fancy, win favor, gain acceptance; esp. to win popular favor, become popular.

322 a. 1635.  Naunton, Fragm. Reg. (Arb.), 16. It took best with the people.

323 1654.  H. Vaughan, Silex Scint., Pref. (1900), 13. Nothing takes (as they rightly phrase it) like a Romance.

324 1762–71.  H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), I. 237. The whim took; he repeated the practice.

325 1817.  Miss Mitford, in L’Estrange, Life (1870), II. i. 4. The new melodrame … takes mightily.

326   d.  trans. To attract and hold, to ‘catch’ (a person’s eye or attention).

327 1754.  Richardson, Grandison (1781), V. i. 6. We … took the Bishop’s eye. He came to us.

328 1842.  Whewell, in Life (1881), 279. I am not surprised that your attention was taken by the examination papers.

329 1881.  Scribner’s Mag., XXI. 268/1. Some one took Horton’s attention for a moment.

330 1889.  Eng. Illustr. Mag., Dec., 268. My eye was taken by something bright.

331   11.  intr. Of a plan, operation, etc.: To have the intended result; to succeed, be effective, take effect, ‘come off.’ Now rare. (See also 10 c.)

332 1622.  Bacon, Hen. VII., 63. The temporarie Fruit of the Parliament in their aide and aduice giucn for Britaine, tooke not, nor prospered not.

333 1625.  Massinger, New Way, V. i. It may be, Sweetheart, my project took.

334 1646.  H. Lawrence, Comm. Angells, 98. This temptation tooke.

335 1658.  Hist. Christina Queen Swedland, 287. This machine was full of fire-workes, which took very handsomly.

336 1701.  W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, 356. The design took and the Fellow got away.

337 1800–24.  Campbell, Ritter Bann, xxxi. The treachery took: she waited wild.

338   † b.  In weakened or indefinite sense: To have a result of some kind; to turn out, eventuate. Obs.

339 a. 1625.  Fletcher, Hum. Lieutenant, III. vii. Did I not tell you how ’twould take?

340 1648.  C’tess Lindsey, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 309. My son Paston is in town about a match for his son; how it will take I know not.

341   c.  Of a medicine, inoculation, etc.: To take hold, take effect, prove operative or effective.

342 1626.  B. Jonson, Staple of N., V. iii. If all succeed well, and my simples take.

343 1853.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XIV. I. 253. To see if the previous inoculation would still take.

344 1897.  S. L. Hinde, Congo Arabs, 61. The vaccine from Europe,—unfortunately none of it took.

345   III.  Weakened sense of ‘seize,’ with elimination of the notion of force or art: the ordinary current sense. i. With a material object.

346   *  with physical action distinct.

347   12.  trans. To perform the voluntary physical act by which one gets (something) into one’s hand or hold; to transfer to oneself by one’s own physical act. (Now the main sense.)

348   a.  with the instrumentality of the hand or hands explicitly or implicitly indicated.

349 c. 1200.  Ormin, 135. He toc hiss reclefatt onn hand, & ȝede innto þe temmple.

350 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1374. Þou sal tak þis pepins thre, Þat I toke o þat appel tre. Ibid. (c. 1375), 21529 (Fairf.). Siþen he toke [Cott. & Gött. nam] a spade in hande.

351 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 77. Anoon as he hadde i-take þe knyf all þe ymages gonne to grucche and to aryse.

352 c. 1391.  Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 29. Tak thanne thyn Astrolabie with bothe handes.

353 1450.  W. Lomner, in Four C. Eng. Lett. (1880), 4. And toke a rusty sword.

354 1471.  Caxton, Recuyell, I. Pref. [I] forthwith toke penne and ynke and began [etc.].

355 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lix. 207. Take thy vyall, and geue vs a songe.

356 1608.  Topsell, Serpents (1658), 595. If a man take a Snake or a Serpent into his handling.

357 1611.  Bible, John xxi. 13. Iesus then commeth, and taketh bread, and giueth them.

358 1799.  Wordsw., Lucy Gray, vi. He plied his work;—and Lucy took The lantern in her hand.

359 1833.  T. Hook, Parson’s Dau., I. ii. He could take his hat and go.

360   b.  with the instrumentality not expressed or considered.

361 c. 1200.  Ormin, 1338. Þe preost … toc & snaþ þatt oþerr bucc Drihhtin þærwiþþ to lakenn.

362 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5646. Þar-for moyses was his nam, For he was o þe water tan.

363 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, XXI. v. 849. Syr Bedwere toke the kyng vpon his backe and so wente wyth hym to that water syde.

364 1584.  R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., XII. xviii. (1886), 222. Take a cup of cold water, and let fall thereinto three drops of the same bloud.

365 1611.  Bible, Gen. ii. 22. The rib which the Lord God had taken from man, made hee a woman.

366 1685.  Boyle, Effects of Mot., Postscr. 155. Take … of the Arsenical Loadstone well pulverised two ounces.

367 1771.  Mrs. Haywood, New Present for Maid, 77. Take a quart of shrimps.

368 1882.  Southward, Pract. Print., xi. 444. While the roller [= pressman’s assistant] is taking ink, the pressman should employ the time in looking over the heap.

369   † c.  To take and put (a garment) on one, wrap about one. Obs.

370 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 9746. Fader, i sal on me for-þi, O thral tak clething sothfastli. Ibid., 10419. Sco tok on hir cleþing o care.

371 1530.  Palsgr., 746/2. Take this mantell aboute you, affullez ce manteau.

372 a. 1604.  Song, in Shaks., Oth., II. iii. 99. And take thy awl’d Cloake about thee.

373   13.  To receive into one’s body by one’s own act; to eat or drink, to swallow (food, drink, medicine, opium, etc.); to inhale (snuf, tobacco-smoke, etc.).

374   (For tobacco, the ordinary expression is now to smoke.)

375 c. 1200.  Ormin, 7545. Þatt tokenn aȝȝ wiþþ mikell mæþ & aȝȝ unnorne fode.

376 13[?].  Cursor M., 16762 + 16. He tast it with tonge, Bot þer-of toke he noght.

377 c. 1400.  Apol. Loll., 103. Þe meyt comendiþ vs not to God,… but frely it may be tan, & frely left.

378 1509.  Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1570), 34. Wine ne ale hurteth no maner creature But sharpeth the wit if it be take in kinde.

379 1601.  Holland, Pliny, XX. iv. The best way to take it [the juice of the radish], is at the end of a meale with the last meat.

380 1617.  Moryson, Itin., II. 46. He tooke Tobacco abundantly,… which I thinke preserved him from sicknes.

381 1654–66.  Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 683. My Soldiers having … taken a little refreshment.

382 1675.  Baxter, Cath. Theol., II. I. 298. It was then a crime with them to take Tobacco, and now it is none: thus custome changes the matter.

383 1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., V. § 7. Those … who take his physic.

384 1771.  Foote, Maid of B., I. Wks. 1799, II. 210. Mr. Flint and I, most evenings take a whiff here.

385 1784.  Unfortunate Sensibility, II. 70. To take a good drink of raw brandy.

386 1807.  Southey, Espriella’s Lett., II. 219. We took an early breakfast.

387 1852.  Fitzgerald, Euphranor (1904), 73. No doubt he took his glass with the rest.

388 1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 429. He died by taking poison.

389 1879.  Morley, Milton, 108. He died at Spa, where he was taking the waters, in September 1653.

390 1891.  Murray’s Mag., April, 532. Inordinately given to taking snuff.

391 1893.  Times, 22 April, 7/5. The Queen … took tea at the Cabanon on the sea shore.

392 1917.  G. K. Chesterton, The Dregs of Puritanism, in Utopia of Usurers, etc. 198. He would do very good service if he would go among the rich aristocratic ladies and tell them not to take drugs in a chronic sense, as people take opium in China.

393   b.  To expose oneself to (air) so as to inhale it or get the physical benefit of it; chiefly in phr. to take the air, to walk out in the open air (now rare or arch.): see AIR sb. 5. So to take a bath, to bathe, esp. in a place or vessel prepared for the purpose; but the phrase is also used in sense 52 (cf. BATH sb.1 6, 1).

394 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, VI. 304. The kyng … of his basnet than had tane, To tak the air, for he wes hate.

395 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1078. His seruands … Bare him with oute to take þe ayre.

396 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, VII. xvii. 239. Eyther of hem vnlaced his helme, and toke the cold wynde.

397 1594.  Barnfield, Affect. Sheph., I. xx. Abroad into the fields to take fresh ayre.

398 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 123, ¶ 1. As I was Yesterday taking the Air with my Friend Sir Roger.

399 1777.  Sheridan, Sch. Scand., II. ii. Lady Betty … was taking the dust in Hyde Park.

400 1837.  [see BATH sb.1 1].

401 1866.  Howells, Venet. Life, 295. When the faire Venetians go out in their gondolas to ‘take the air.’

402 1879.  Edna Lyall, Won by Waiting, xxxi. Her father … was to take a course of baths [in Germany].

403 1890.  Cornh. Mag., July, 7. The English people hurry forth to take the morning air.

404   c.  Phr. Not to be taking any …: not to be in the mood for; to be disinclined for. slang.

405 1900.  Daily News, 10 March, 2/1. In the language of the hour, ‘nobody was taking any.’

406 1905.  Daily Chron., 20 Dec., 3/4. As one of her fellow countrywomen might have said, Frances was not ‘taking any’ pessimism just then.

407 1923.  George Goodchild, Trooper O’Neill, xi. 122. I’m not taking any sass.

408   **  with physical action subordinated to the relation produced.

409   14.  To bring, receive, or adopt (a person) into some relation to oneself (e.g., into one’s service, protection, tuition, care, companionship, favor). To take to (into) mercy: see MERCY sb. 5.

410 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 27. Þesne mon ic habbe itaken to mine aȝene bihofþe.

411 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2792. ‘I haue,’ [loth] said, ‘doghtres tua, Tas and dos your will wit þaa. Ibid. (13[?]), 20106 (Gött.). Þan tok [Cott. name] þe apostel sone on-ane In-tille his keping, þat maidane.

412 1388.  Wyclif, Ps. xxvi[i]. 10. For my fadir and my modir han forsake me; but the Lord hath take me.

413 1428.  in Surtees Misc. (1888), 5. Þat tha tuke hym to þair grace.

414 c. 1477.  Caxton, Jason, 17 b. The fayr Myrro … toke Jason so in her good grace that into the deth she louyd him.

415 1531.  in Sel. Cas. Crt. Requests (1898), 34. The said abbott … was greaitly laborid to taike to service the said Roger.

416 1643.  Burroughes, Exp. Hosea (1652), 147. If God takes them to mercy we must be ready willingly to take them into brotherly society.

417 1654.  Earl Monm., trans. Bentivoglio’s Warrs of Flanders, 54. Being then tane into pay by the Princes.

418 1794.  in J. O. Payne, Old Eng. Cath. Missions (1889), 14. Took into the Church William Fawcett Grange.

419 1878.  Scribner’s Mag., XVI. 135/1. He would freely take them into his confidence.

420 1885.  Law Times, LXXX. 6/2. None were allowed to let their rooms or take lodgers.

421 1891.  E. Peacock, N. Brendon, I. 120. He took pupils to increase his income.

422   b.  spec. in reference to marriage or cohabitation; often in phr. to take to wife, in marriage.

423 c. 1200.  Ormin, 19593. Þat tiss Herode King … haffde takenn all wiþþ woh Filippess wif hiss broþerr.

424 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 12667. A man in mariage hir tok, Hight alpheus.

425 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 590 (Harl MS.). If a neet-hurdes douȝter … be riche, sche may cheese of a þousand men which she wol take to hir housbonde.

426 a. 1400[?].  Punishm. Adultery, 63, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 369. He rouȝt not what woman he toke.

427 c. 1477.  Caxton, Jason, 97 b. That they shold take eche other by mariage.

428 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 35 b. They bidde him take a Leman lest he attempt to defile honest women.

429 1687.  Burnet, Cont. Reply to Varillas, 77. He professed himself a Lutheran, and took a Wife.

430 1771.  Smollett, Humph. Cl., 18 July. A young lady … who agreed to take me for better or worse.

431 1891.  Cornh. Mag., Dec., 664. He took unto himself a village maid, and settled in Lyndhurst.

432   15.  To transfer by one’s own direct act (a thing) into one’s possession or keeping; to appropriate; to enter into possession or use of. See also take in possession, s.v. POSSESSION sb. 1 c; take possession in Phrases below (71).

433 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 167. Þe deuel … þan toc his [Job’s] oȝen lichame and þer one brohte swo michel sicnesse.

434 c. 1300.  Harrow. Hell, 103. Heouene ant erþe tac to þe, Soules in helle lef þou me.

435 c. 1450.  Godstow Reg., 416. To entre the forsaid tenement and to take and hold all maner of goodes and catallis I-founde in the same.

436 1535.  Coverdale, Josh. xix. 47. And the children of Dan … toke it in possession, & dwelt therin.

437 1611.  Bible, John x. 17. I lay downe my life that I might take it againe.

438 1683.  Pennsylv. Archives, I. 55. I desire thee take the town of Salem into thy lott.

439 1795.  Fate of Sedley, I. 189. If he dare to take a bone which they had given to their dogs.

440 1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), IV. 378. The question was, whether the heirs of S. Morris took any estate under this appointment.

441 1883.  Law Times Rep., XLIX. 155/1. The undertakers … had power to take lands compulsorily.

442   B.  absol. To take possession; spec. in Law, to enter into actual possession.

443 c. 1407.  Lydg., Reason & Sens., 6486. The hunger … gredy, and in-saturable Of wommen for to Acroche and take.

444 1642.  trans. Perkins’ Prof. Bk., i. § 52. 24. There is one named in the Lease who may take immediately.

445 1706.  E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 33. But if he gives, he takes too sometimes.

446 1803.  Wordsw., Rob Roy’s Grave, 39. The good old rule … the simple plan, That they should take, who have the power, And they should keep who can.

447 1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 298. The testator intended, that when Francis was dead without issue, the eldest son should take.

448 1894.  Daily News, 29 June, 5/2. The will of December, 1883, they find, was duly executed…. The Royal Academy therefore take.

449   c.  To secure beforehand by payment or contract; e.g., to take a house, etc., to engage (a house or other place) for the purpose of occupying it.

450 1604.  E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, IV. vi. 223. Many Spaniardes … came thither to take mines.

451 1670.  Lady Mary Bertie, in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 22. My brother Norreys tooke a box and carryed my Lady Rochester and his mistresse and all us to.

452 1693.  Humours Town, 8. I have within these few days taken a Lodging.

453 1743.  Bulkeley & Cummins, Voy. S. Seas, 196. To take a House in the Country at our own Expence.

454 1803.  Pic Nic, No. 11 (1806), II. 143. She has now taken a thirty years lease of a house.

455 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xli. Colonel Crawley and his wife took a couple of places in the same old High-flyer coach.

456 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 719/1. When he took his farm, it was well cultivated.

457 1915.  Owen Seaman, War-time, 23, ‘It is the Cause,’ 1.        I took a flat in Whitehall Land   Whence I could watch with native pride The bridge of Charing Cross that spanned,     A thing of grace, the admiring tide.

458   d.  To get or procure regularly by payment (something offered to the public, as a periodical, a commodity). See also take in, 82 c.

459 1593.  Acct. Bk. W. Wray, in Antiquary, XXXII. 119. May the 28 we begun to take milke of Ann Smith for a halle penneworth of the day.

460 1808.  Eleanor Sleath, Bristol Heiress, III. 40. A morning paper, which Lady Harcourt constantly took.

461 1852.  De Morgan, in Graves, Life Sir W. R. Hamilton (1889), III. 426. You take the Philosophical Magazine, I think.

462 1897.  N. & Q., 8th Ser. XII. 354/1. In my boyhood I ‘took’ the Penny Magazine.

463 1911.  Ford Madox Ford, Memories and Impressions, xii. 271. In his prime he took the Times or the Morning Post, and that was all he had in the way of a paper.

464   ii.  With a non-material object.

465   *  To take to oneself, assume, an attribute, quality, character.

466   16.  a. To assume (a form, nature, character, name, or other attribute); sometimes, to assume the part or character of. To take on oneself, to put on.

467 c. 1200.  Ormin, 85. He sende uss … Hiss Sune … To takenn ure mennisscleȝȝe.

468 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14464. Þai said þat crist suld ta manhede Of a maiden and of þair sede.

469 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1142, Dido. That Cupido … Hadde the liknesse of the child I-take.

470 c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 57. At þe laste he tuke his spiritt vnto hym.

471 1546.  Langley, Pol. Verg. De Invent., II. xv. 61. God … toke on him the shape of Man as Abraham sawe him.

472 1548–9.  (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Collect Christmas Day. Almyghtye God, whiche haste geuen us thy onlye begotten sonne to take our nature upon hym.

473 1605.  Shaks., Macb., III. iv. 102. Take any shape but that, and my firme Nerues Shall neuer tremble.

474 1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 329. [They] take the Forms his Prescience did ordain.

475 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 35, ¶ 4. An Impostor … who takes upon him the Name of this young Gentleman.

476 1810.  Scott, Lady of L., III. vii. The mountain mist took form and limb.

477 1844.  Fraser’s Mag., XXX. 532/2. Liddy was really taking the woman upon her in earnest, since she had attained the matronly age of seventeen.

478 1887.  Times (weekly ed.), 9 Dec., 16/2. France cannot take the offensive, but she can paralyse Germany and Italy.

479   † b.  To adopt (a law or custom); to undertake or begin to follow or observe. Obs.

480 c. 1200.  Ormin, Ded. 7. Broþerr min … Þurth þatt witt hafenn takenn ba An reȝhellboc to follȝhenn.

481 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 19540. Quen þe apostels þan hard sai Samaritans had tan þair wai [other MSS. lay]. Ibid. (c. 1375), 2700 (Fairf.). Abraham … was .v. skore bot ane þat day quen þai toke [Cott. vnder-fang] þe new lay.

482 1474.  Caxton, Chesse, II. i. 21. The peple of tarante toke for a custome that the dronken men shold be punysshyd.

483 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, xlv. 151. He thretenethe to slee me by cause I wyll not take on me his law.

484   c.  To assume, adopt (a symbol or badge, or something connected with and denoting a function): in phrases having specific meanings, as:

485   To take the crown, the throne, to assume sovereignty; to take the habit, to become a monk; to take the gown, to become a clergyman; to take the ball (at cricket), to assume the position of bowler; to take an oar, to begin to row. See also CROSS sb. 4 c, SILK, VEIL sb.

486 c. 1330.  [see CROSS sb. 4 c].

487 a. 1380.  St. Bernard, 287, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1878), 46. Whon Bernard hed taken his abyt.

488 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 6620. Þe abyte he toke, as bede of him wryte.

489 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 112. He had taken on him a little before the lyuery of the crosse.

490 1605.  Camden, Rem. (1637), 344. John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster … took a red Rose to his device.

491 1784.  J. Potter, Virtuous Villagers, II. 135. I have now taken the gown.

492 1855.  Browning, Protus, 39. John the Pannonian … Came, had a mind to take the crown.

493 1860.  All Year Round, No. 66. 384. ‘Take an oar, sir,’ said Philip.

494 1883.  Daily Tel., 15 May, 2/1. The champion took the ball, vice Penn.

495   **  To charge oneself with, undertake, discharge.

496   17.  To assume, charge oneself with, undertake (a function, responsibility, etc.). See also take charge (66 below), take in charge (CHARGE 13 b), take in or on hand (HAND 42); also 18 a, b.

497 c. 1200.  Ormin, 10896. Sannt Iohann … toc þatt wikenn þohh Þa siþþen, whanne he wisste [etc.].

498 13[?].  Cursor M., 12390. Trein beddes was he wont to make And þar-for his seruis to take. Ibid. (c. 1425), 4795 (Trin.). Lo I am al redy boun Oure aller nedes to take in place.

499 c. 1450.  Merlin, 3. This feende that toke this enterprise ne taried not.

500 1647.  Jer. Taylor, Lib. Proph., 193. That every man must take his adventure.

501 1847.  Marryat, Childr. N. Forest, xviii. I think … I would take it [the post] on trial.

502 1863.  Kinglake, Crimea, I. vi. 88. The plan of taking engagements upon possible eventualities.

503 1890.  Tout, Hist. Eng. from 1689, 133. Grenville refused to take office without Fox.

504 1890.  Lane-Poole, Barbary Corsairs, I. xii. 124. He took service as a boy in the Turkish fleet.

505 1892.  Speaker, 3 Sept., 279/1. Captain Mayer … was compelled by circumstances to take the responsibility.

506   b.  To subject oneself to (an oath, vow, pledge, or the like): see also OATH sb. 1, DICK sb.5

507 1511–.  [see OATH sb. 1].

508 1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, II. iii. 26. Ile take my oath on it.

509 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time, an. 1678. III. (1724), I. 435. A bill … requiring all members of either House … to take a test against Popery.

510 1803.  Pic Nic, No. 4 (1806), I. 140. She has taken the monastic Vow.

511 1897.  ‘Sarah Grand,’ Beth Bk., xlvi. (1898), 438. I’ll take my dick he’ll not trouble us with a bill for the next six months.

512   † c.  To take it: to make oneself responsible for a statement; to affirm, asseverate. Const. on (one’s death, honor: see ON prep. 12). Obs.

513 1595.  Shaks., John, I. i. 116. Vpon his death-bed he … tooke it on his death That this my mothers sonne was none of his. Ibid. (1598), Merry W., II. ii. 12. I took’t vpon mine honour thou hadst it not.

514 1631.  Weever, Anc. Fun. Mon., 379. Guiltlesse of any offence … as he tooke it vpon his death.

515   18.  To take on or upon oneself.

516   a.  To charge oneself with, undertake (an office, duty, or responsibility); to make oneself responsible for. In quot. c. 1470 absol.

517 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 20790. He wil noght tak þe cark [MS. F. charge] on him, Quar [F. queþer] þat it be sun soght or nai.

518 1432.  Paston Lett., I. 34. The said Erle hath take upon him the governance of the Kinges persone.

519 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, VI. 355. Be caus we wait he is a gentill man, Cum in my grace, and I sall saiff him than, As for his lyff, I will apon me tak.

520 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, xliii. 143. He wyll take on hym this bateyll ayenst the gyant.

521 1611.  Bible, Num. xvi. 7. Yee take too much vpon you [Cov. make to moch a doo], ye sonnes of Leui.

522 a. 1648.  Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 253. That … he should persuade her to enter a Monastery, and take on her a Religious life.

523 1728.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1886), II. 86. Occasioned by … Mr. Hughes’s taking upon him the office of Mayor.

524 1883.  Century Mag., XXVI. 608/1. Helen took the blame upon herself.

525   b.  With inf. To undertake; to assume the right, presume, make bold (to do something).

526 c. 1275.  Passion of our Lord, 619, in O. E. Misc., 54. Vre louerd him tok on To schewen his apostles þet he wes god and mon.

527 1449.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 151/2. Daren not take uppon hem to labour ayenst suche Felons.

528 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxii. 481. I shall take vpon me to make amendes for hym.

529 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cclxxv. 411. To desyre him to take on him to be the Constable of France.

530 1648.  Thorpe, Charge at York Assizes (1649), 26. If any Person take upon him to be a Badger of Corn.

531 1724.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 234. I took upon me … to go to Leeds.

532 1837.  Hallam, Hist. Lit. (1847), I. I. i. § 90. 78. Some took on them to imitate what they read.

533 1885.  Ld. Coleridge, in Law Rep., 14 Q. B. Div. 825. The judgment, which the plaintiff has taken upon himself to sue out and to enter, is wrong.

534   † c.  To profess, claim to do something; to assume, presume that … (with implication that the claim or assumption is unwarranted). Obs.

535 a. 1500[?].  Wycket (1828), p. viii. Hypocrites that take on them to make oure Lordes bodye.

536 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 29 b. As thoughe I toke vpon me that I could not erre.

537 1653.  Gataker, Vind. Annot. Jer., 31. The time whereof both of them, contrary to our Saviors avouchment take upon them to determine.

538   † d.  To affect, feign, pretend, make believe, to do something. Obs.

539 1571.  trans. Buchanan’s Detection, E j b. Though thay tuke upon tham as if thay regardit nat these thynges, yet sometyme the rumors … merely prickit them to the quick.

540 1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., II. ii. 123. How comes that, sayes he that takes vpon him not to conceiue. Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., I. ii. 153. Shee takes vpon her to spie a white haire on his chinne.

541   † e.  absol. or intr. To assume authority or importance; sometimes in good sense, to behave bravely or valiantly (quot. c. 1470), to put oneself forward, assert oneself (quot. 1720); usually in bad sense, = to take too much upon one, to behave presumptuously or haughtily, assume airs. Obs.

542 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, V. 43. Wallace so weill apon him tuk that tide, Throw the gret preys he maid a way full wide.

543 1530.  Palsgr., 747/1. I take apon me, lyke a lord or mayster, je fais du grant.

544 1581.  Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., II. (1586), 109 b. It shalbe the part of a straunger, being in another mans house, not to take vpon him presumptuously.

545 1637.  T. Morton, New Eng. Canaan (1883), 306. This man … tooke upon him infinitely: and made warrants in his owne name.

546 1667.  Pepys, Diary, 3 June. But, Lord! to see how Duncomb do take upon him is an eyesore.

547 1720.  De Foe, Capt. Singleton, xiii. (1840), 233. I found it was time to take upon me a little.

548   f.  trans. See 16.

549   19.  a. To undertake and perform, conduct, or discharge (a part, function, duty, service, or the like). See also PART sb. 23.

550 1411.  Rolls of Parlt., III. 650/1. A Loveday taken bytwen the same parties by William Gascoigne Chief Justice of the forsaid Benche.

551 1596.  [see PART sb. 23 b].

552 1874.  Micklethwaite, Mod. Par. Churches, 60. Each priest … may take those parts of the service designed to him from time to time.

553 1885.  Mary Linskill, Lost Son, iv. 58. Will you favour us by taking the tenor?

554 1889.  Cornhill Mag., Dec., 623. The female parts in plays being taken by boys and men.

555 1890.  Pictorial World, 15 May, 616/1. She would take the grammar class at ten and the arithmetic class at eleven.

556 Mod. The assistant master who takes duty also takes preparation. The canon who was taking residence that day.

557   b.  Phr. To take pains, take trouble (also formerly take labor, toil, etc.): to take upon oneself and exercise these activities and qualities; to exercise care and diligence: see also PAIN sb.1 5, 6, TROUBLE sb.

558 13[?].  Cursor M., 4789 (Gött.). Loke quilk of ȝu sal take on hand For vs all take þis trauaile.

559 1528.  Impeachm. Wolsey, in Furnivall, Ballads from MSS., I. 360. Whoo hathe þis matyr so playnly declaryd, or hathe the labowur Take.

560 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxxxiii. 262. Ye shall not nede to take the laboure.

561 1600.  Tourneur, Transf. Metamorph., lv. But (Knight) belieue me, I have t’ane much toile.

562 1794.  Marq. Buckingham, in 14th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 489. I am sure you have taken every pains to do whatever you imagined might best forward my wishes.

563 1893.  Liddon, etc., Life Pusey, I. xviii. 420. His unlimited capacity for taking trouble.

564   ***  To adopt or assume as one’s own.

565   20.  To adopt as one’s own (a part or side in a contest, controversy, etc.), to range oneself on, ally oneself with (a side or party); see PART sb. 23 c, PARTY sb. SIDE sb.

566 c. 1420, etc.  [see PART sb. 23 c].

567 1530.  Palsgr., 750/1. I take ones parte, I holde with hym in a mater, je prens partye.

568 1606.  G. W[oodcocke], Hist. Iustine, XXXVI. 114. Shewed in derision to the people that had tooke part with him.

569 1751.  Eliza Heywood, Betsy Thoughtless, II. 199. To take the party, which would best become his honour and reputation.

570 1820.  L. Hunt, Indicator, No. 15 (1822), I. 118. No wonder that the Queen of France took part with the rebels against … her husband.

571   b.  absol. or intr. in same sense: to take against, to oppose; to take for, to support, back up, side with. rare. (See also take with, 75 d.)

572 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 15312. And for Englische mennes sake, Ageyn þe oughte we to take.

573 1770.  Foote, Lame Lover, II. Wks. 1799, II. 70. A wise man should well weigh which party to take for.

574 1892.  Longm. Mag., March, 558. ‘You are not taking against me?’ he exclaimed suspiciously.

575   21.  To assume as if one’s own, to appropriate or arrogate to oneself (credit, etc.); to assume as if granted, e.g., to take leave, liberty, etc.: see also LIBERTY sb. 5 b. To take for granted: see 48.

576 1525.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. xxi. 46. Wherfore this Kyng Iohan toke tytell to make warr.

577 1611.  Beaum. & Fl., Philaster, I. i. Kissing your white hand [Mistress] I take leave, To thank your royal father.

578 1625–.  [see LIBERTY sb. 5 b].

579 1627–77.  Feltham, Resolves, I. xxxi. 53. Hamans thirst was Honor: Achitophel took the glory of his Counsel.

580 1820.  Examiner, No. 612, 7/1. We would take leave to recommend … an alteration.

581 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 564/1. Voltaire took all sorts of liberties with his mother tongue.

582 1870.  Rogers, Hist. Gleanings, Ser. II. 93. He took credit to himself that … her son remained stanch.

583   22.  Gram. Of a word, clause, or sentence: To have by right or usage, either as part of itself or with it in construction (a particular inflection, accent, case, mood, etc.) as the proper one.

584 1818.  Blomfield, trans. Matthiae’s Grk. Gram., I. 208. Verbs … which are derived from compound adjectives, take the augment at the beginning. Ibid., 472. The following verbs … take the genitive of the thing.

585 1860.  Goodwin, Grk. Moods & Tenses, 220. Causal sentences regularly take the Indicative.

586 1876.  Kennedy, Publ. Sch. Lat. Gram., § 20. All Declensions take the Ending m for Masc. and Fem. Nouns.

587 1881.  Chandler, Grk. Accentuation, § 767. The following take the accent on the penultimate.

588   IV.  Pregnant senses related to III.; usually including a notion of choice, purpose, use, employment, treatment, or occupation.

589   *  Connoting choice.

590   23.  To pick out from a number: either by chance, at random; or with intention, to select, choose.

591 c. 1275.  Lay., 12176. Ten þusend cnihtes tock Gracien forþrihtes [c. 1205 he chæs … ten þusend cnihten].

592 1382.  Wyclif, 1 Sam. xiv. 42. Saul seith, Leyeth lot betwix me and Jonathan my sone. And Jonathas is taken.

593 1535.  Coverdale, ibid. Saul sayde: Cast the lot ouer me and my sonne Ionathas. So Ionathas was taken.

594 1612.  Two Noble K., II. iii. 70. [Peasant] Thou wilt not goe along? Arc. Not yet, sir. [P.] Well, sir, take your owne time.

595 1625.  Bacon, Ess., Ambition (Arb.), 225. Good Commanders in the Warres, must be taken, be they neuer so Ambitious.

596 1742.  Francis, trans. Hor. Sat., I. iv. 31. Take me a man, at venture, from the crowd.

597 1769.  Johnson, 29 Oct., in Boswell. I’ll take you five children from London, who shall cuff five Highland children.

598   **  Connoting purpose, use, employment.

599   24.  To adopt or choose in order to use in some way; to adopt in some capacity (const. as, for); hence, to employ for a purpose, to have recourse to, avail oneself of, proceed to use (a means or method); to seize (an opportunity, etc.). See also take day in Phrases below (67), ADVANTAGE sb. 5 b, MEASURE sb. 21, OCCASION sb.1 1.

600 13[?].  Cursor M., 29177. For a reule þis sal þou take.

601 1471.  Sir J. Paston, in P. Lett., III. 15. Thys next terme I hope to take on [= one] weye with hyr or other.

602 1483–4.  Act 1 Rich. III., c. 2 § 1. That suche exaccions … afore this tyme takyn be take for no example to make suche or any lyke charge … hereafter.

603 1561.  [see OCCASION sb.1 1].

604 1579.  Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 316. He taketh times and occasions at his pleasure.

605 1605.  Shaks., Macb., III. i. 23. We should haue else desir’d your good aduice … In this dayes Councell: but wee’le take to morrow.

606 1667.  Dryden, Sir Martin Mar-all, III. i. If thou wilt have a foolish word to lard thy lean discourse with, take an English one.

607 1686.  trans. Chardin’s Coronat. Solyman, 122. He know … how to take his Measures to the ruine of his Competitors.

608 1728.  Ramsay, Bonny Chirsty, iv. He wisely this white minute took, And flang his arms about her.

609 1729.  Bp. Waddington, in Lardner’s Wks. (1838), I. p. lxiii. You have certainly took a very proper and christian way with him.

610 1758.  S. Hayward, Serm., Introd. 11. What special methods could be taken to stem the tide of immorality?

611 1789.  Triumphs Fortitude, I. 101. I shall take the first opportunity of sending the books I promised.

612 1820.  Examiner, No. 614. 39/1. That great genius is taken as the standard of perfection.

613 1867.  Howells, Ital. Journ., 118. We raised our sail, and took the gale that blew for Capri.

614 1890.  Blackw. Mag., CXLVIII. 442/2. Every possible means is now taken to conceal the truth.

615 1914.  Owen Johnson, The Salamander, xxiv. 358. Would he take this moment to make another overt advance, after these long weeks of acquiescence to her whims?

616   b.  To take into use, to use, have recourse to (one’s hands, a tool, weapon, etc.) for doing something. To take a stick (etc.) to, to use it to beat (a person, etc.). (Sometimes with mixture of sense 12.)

617 1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1778), II. 25. I took both hands to it.

618 1871.  Susan Warner, Opportunities, viii. 224. I couldn’t take a switch to you, and that’s the only way [to teach her her place].

619 1888.  Stevenson, Black Arrow, IV. ii. 208. He had ta’en his belt to me, forsooth!

620 1889.  ‘Lewis Carroll,’ Sylvie & Bruno, iv. 53. ‘Take a stick to him!’ shouted the Vice-Warden.

621   c.  esp. To take into use or employment, to have recourse to as a means of progression (a vehicle, ship, horse, one’s limbs, etc.); to enter or mount for a journey or voyage. Often without article, as to take boat, coach, ship, etc.: see also take to (74 b), take horse (70 a); HEEL sb.1 19, LEG sb. 2 b, WING sb. (Cf. 25.)

622 c. 1450.  [see 70 a].

623 1517.  Torkington, Pilgr. (1884), 46. We toke our assys at the Mownte Syon,… and rode the same nyght to Bethlem.

624 1530.  Palsgr., 751/1. I take shyppe or the see, je monte sur la mer.… Where toke they shyppyng, ou est ce quilz monterent sur la mer.

625 1576.  [see BOAT sb. 1 d].

626 1654.  trans. Scudery’s Curia Pol., 19. If the Duke of Guise … had speedily taken post, and fled from Blois.

627 1672.  Sir C. Lyttelton, in Hatton Corr. (Camden), 86. I am … just taking coach to give his Rll Highnesse ye paru bien after his late danger.

628 1721.  De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 199. I took the packet-boat, and came over to England.

629 1844.  Fraser’s Mag., XXX. 603/1. He takes ship for Ireland.

630 1885.  ‘F. Anstey,’ Tinted Venus, viii. 95. I’ve a good mind to take the tram to the Archway.

631 1892.  Monthly Packet, April, 444. They … took train to London.

632   25.  To gain the aid or help of (a place) by betaking oneself to it; to gain, reach, repair to, go into, enter (esp. for refuge or safety); to get into or on to: = take to, 74 c. Often in special phrases: see FIELD, GROUND, INN, LAND, REFUGE, SANCTUARY, SEA, WALL, WATER, etc.

633 c. 1205.  Lay., 7976. He droh in ane hælue & toc þan [c. 1275 tock to] herberwe.

634 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 5397. Hauene he tok at Porcestre.

635 c. 1400.  Laud Troy Bk., 10501. Thei token the toun with mychel spede … To saue her lyues.

636 1461.  Paston Lett., II. 52. The Duc of Excestre and th’erle of Pembrok are floon and taken the mounteyns.

637 1480.  Caxton, Chron. Eng., clxx. 155. They that myght take the bridge escaped. Ibid. (1485), Paris & V., 43. He took the ryuer wyth hys hors.

638 1512.  Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 2 § 2. If any murderer … hadde taken any Church or Churchyerd or murder.

639 1565.  Stapleton, trans. Bede’s Hist. Ch. Eng., 169. Beinge vysited with syeknesse he toke his bedde.

640 1583.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., III. 600. Constraning him to tak his hous for the saifty of his lif.

641 1618.  Rowlands, Night Raven (1620), 12. A cruell Beare, which forc’d him take a tree.

642 1831.  Examiner, 443/2. Vipers occasionally take the water.

643 1852.  R. F. Burton, Falconry Valley Indus, v. 61, note. The first falcon … caused the quarry to take the air.

644 1868.  Stanley, Westm. Abbey, v. 364. But the right of asylum rendered the whole precinct a vast ‘cave of Adullam’ for all the distressed and discontented of the metropolis who desired, according to the phrase of the time, to ‘take Westminster.’

645 1880.  T. Stevenson, in Encycl. Brit., XI. 455. A harbour which may be easily taken and left in stormy weather.

646   b.  To adopt and enter upon (a road, way, path, course, etc., lit. or fig.); to betake oneself to, begin to go along or by: sometimes with mixture of sense ‘to choose, select’ (23). See also COURSE sb. 11 b, 21, WAY sb.

647 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 17643. To ierusalem he tok þe strete.

648 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, II. 146. All him alane the way he tais.

649 c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 3152. Þus othere toke þat cors an haste.

650 1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VI. viii. 1. With all his speid fra thens he tuke the gait.

651 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, xxi. 63. I counsell you to take the long way.

652 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 10. So many pathes,… That which of them to take in diverse doubt they been.

653 1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 459. Pleas’d I am, no beaten Road to take.

654 1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VII. x. Which way must we take?

655 1827.  Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), I. iii. 115. Elizabeth had taken her line as to the Court of Rome.

656 1895.  Law Times Rep., LXXIII. 22/1. The court … left the parties to take their own course.

657 1916.  Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, 18.        Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

658   c.  To take (a place or person) in (on) one’s way, to touch at or visit in one’s journey; to include in one’s route.

659 a. 1622.  R. Layne, in Capt. Smith, Virginia, I. 8. I … sent Pemissapan word I was going to Croatan, and tooke him in my way.

660 1676.  Wood, Life (O.H.S.), II. 342. Wee went home and took Pershore in the way.

661 1701.  W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, Marcus, vi. 85. He did not take Rome in his way.

662 1837.  Lockhart, Scott, xliv. Scott … asked me to walk home with him, taking Ballantyne’s printing office in our way.

663   *** Connoting treatment.

664   26.  To proceed or begin to deal with or treat in some way or do something to; hence, to ‘take in hand,’ ‘tackle,’ deal with, treat.

665   See also take at advantage (ADVANTAGE sb. 5 c), take it easy (EASY B. 4), take in turns (TURN sb.). (In quot. 1671, to settle, adjust, make up: = take up, 90 u.)

666 1523.  [see ADVANTAGE sb. 5 c].

667 1596.  Harington, Metam. Ajax (1814), 12. He will take a weak man at the vantage.

668 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 418. This disease…, if it be taken in any time, it is easie to be holpen.

669 1671.  H. M., trans. Erasm. Colloq., 62. They themselves will better take this difference among themselves.

670 1720.  Mrs. Manley, Power of Love (1741), 281. Being taken at such disadvantage; his Valour would have signify’d little.

671 1734.  Pope, Ess. Man, IV. 227. Men in their loose unguarded hours they take, Not that themselves are wise, but others weak.

672 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1756), I. 169. The Business is to take the Distemper in its first Stage.

673 1812.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 176. To fight two enemies at a time, rather than to take them by succession.

674 1896.  Law Times, C. 438/2. Admiralty Appeals with Assessors will be taken in Appeal Court I on Wednesday.

675 1896.  Daily News, 30 May, 8/4. I shall not take physiology next year, but I shall give some teaching on the subject in the way of object lessons in hygiene.

676   b.  To use, deal with, or treat (a name or word) in some way. To take in IDLE, in VAIN.

677 c. 1200.  Ormin, 4402. Þatt tu ne take nohht wiþþ skarn, Wiþþ hæþinng, ne wiþþ idell Þe name off ure Laferrd Crist.

678 c. 1315.  Shoreham, III. 91. Honury þou schelt enne god … Take nauȝt hys name in ydelschepe.

679 c. 1386.  [see IDLE B. 1 b].

680   6.  To proceed to deal with mentally; to consider; to reckon. So to take into or under consideration, to proceed to consider (see CONSIDERATION 2 c). See also take together, 89 c.

681 c. 1200.  Ormin, 325. Tacc nu þiss streon þatt tuss wass sibb Wiþþ preostess & wiþþ kingess. Ibid., 335, 339.

682 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xix. (Arb.), 236. For example ye may take these verses.

683 1602.  Shaks., Ham., I. ii. 197. He was a man, take him for all in all: I shall not look vpon his like againe.

684 a. 1635.  Sibbes, Confer. Christ & Mary (1656), 66. Take a good Christian at the worst, he is better than another at the best.

685 1747.  W. Horsley, Fool (1748), II. 319. Take one Man with another now in Prison.

686 1820.  Examiner, No. 615. 51/1. If the Chamber were to take the petitions into its consideration.

687 1836.  Brande, Chem. (1841), 138. Let us take a fresh-water lake as an example.

688 1892.  Cassell’s Fam. Mag., Aug., 516/1. This, taken with his secretaryship,… left him but little leisure.

689 1910.  Norman Duncan, With That Measure of Love, in Harper’s Mag., CXXI. Sept., 582/1. You take a good woman, Rowl, an’ if she’s been well fetched up an’ careful of herself, she’ll be clever at that, as well as useful in other ways.

690   **** Connoting occupation.

691   27.  To proceed to occupy, enter on the occupation of (a place or position, lit. or fig.). See also CHAIR sb.1 9, FLOOR sb.1 4, GROUND sb. 11 c, PLACE sb. 13 b, 27, POST sb.3 2, PRECEDENCE 3, 4, SEAT, STAND, etc.

692 c. 1205.  Lay., 7976. He droh in ane hælue & toc þan herberwe.

693 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11443. Þai toke þair gesting in þe tun.

694 1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 293. This yonge Prince, as seith the bok, With hem his herbergage tok.

695 1430–40.  Lydg., Bochas, IX. xxxi. (Bodl. MS. 263), lf. 432/2. The ground Itake of wilful pouerte.

696 1605.  Shaks., Lear, III. vi. 38. Thou robed man of justice, take thy place.

697 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 165, ¶ 5. They took Post behind a great Morass.

698 1750.  Gray, Long Story, 111. She curtsies, as she takes her chair.

699 1807–8.  W. Irving, Salmag., iv. (1811), I. 71. The latter has taken his winter quarters … in the corner room, opposite mine.

700 1883.  Fargus, Cardinal Sin, xii. It was soon her turn to take the stage.

701 1883.  Scottish Leader, 27 July, 6/7. I took the chair at a meeting to promote the candidature of a Radical as a member for Parliament.

702   † b.  intr. ? ellipt. for take place, to occur. rare.

703 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 1534 (1562). And yf so be þat pes her-after take As alday happeþ after anger game.

704   28.  To use, occupy, use up, consume (so much material, space, time, energy, activity, etc.): = take up, 90 w (b). Sometimes nearly = ‘need’ or ‘require.’ Hence (colloq.) to require (a person or thing of so much capacity or ability) to do something.

705   To take (one’s) time: to allow oneself sufficient time (to do something); hence (sarcastically), to be ‘quite long enough,’ i.e., too long: to loiter.

706 a. 1578.  Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 251. This scheip … tuik so mekill timber that scho waistit all the wodis in Fyfe.

707 1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., I. i. 83. Take time to pause.

708 c. 1710.  Celia Fiennes, Diary (1888), 239. At ye ffeete of the bed that tooke ye Length of the roome.

709 1713.  Berkeley, Hylas & Phil., i. Wks. 1871, I. 284. I will take time to solve your difficulty.

710 1753.  Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v. Lime, Lime-stone generally takes sixty hours in burning.

711 1858.  Glenny, Gard. Every-day Bk., 134/1. They take less room on than off.

712 1890.  Field, 8 March, 364/1. Any ignoramus can construct a straight line, but it takes an engineer to make a curve.

713 1893.  Nat. Observer, 7 Oct., 511/2. The remainder of the Life will take two more volumes.

714 1920.  Mrs. H. Ward, Harvest, xiv. 314. Take time to think—but—all the same—don’t keep me too long waiting!

715   b.  A person is said to take a particular size in gloves, boots, collars, etc., implying that that is the size which fits.

716 1897.  Flo. Marryat, Blood Vampire, ii. [She] informed me the other day that her Mamma took nines in gloves.

717 1920.  Thomas Moult, Snow over Elden, x. 104. That hand takes size six.

718   29.  To begin or start afresh after leaving off, or after some one else; to resume; = take up, 90 r, s. (Also absol.) To take the word, to begin to speak, esp. after or instead of some one else: see WORD sb.

719 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 747. Now turne to our tale, take þere we lefte.

720 1500.  [see WORD].

721 a. 1547.  Surrey, Æneid, IV. 144. Quene Juno then thus tooke her tale againe.

722 1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 219. I must forsake This Task; for others afterwards to take.

723 1825.  Scott, Betrothed, xix. Eveline remained silent. The abbess took the word.

724   V.  To obtain from a source, to derive.

725   30.  To get, obtain, or derive by one’s own act from some source (something material or non-material); to adopt, copy, ‘borrow’ (also absol., quot. 1493); to take example of, ‘get’ or ‘learn’ from some one (quot. 1544). See also ENSAMPLE sb. 2 b, EXAMPLE sb. 6 c.

726 c. 1200.  Ormin, 14470. Ȝiff þu bisne takenn willt Off þise tweȝȝenn breþre.

727 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 5273. Þre þousand pound ylka ȝer … or alle þe lond gedered & tan.

728 13[?].  Cursor M., 17288 + 175, Cott. (insert.). To haf mercy of synful men Ensaumple at him he toke.

729 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Wife’s Prol., 183. Rede it in his Almageste and take it there.

730 c. 1460.  Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon., x. (1885), 131. Þat we now serch how the kyng mey haue such livelod; but ffirst, off what comodites it mey best be take.

731 1493.  Festivall (1515), 145 b. [Luke] loked what Marke and Mathewe had wryten, and so toke at them.

732 1544.  Bale, Chron. Sir J. Oldcastell, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), I. 269. Of them [Annas & Caiaphas] onely haue ye taken it to iudge Chrystes members, as ye do.

733 1606.  G. W[oodcocke], Hist. Ivstine, xxx. 101. Schollers which from him as their tuter had tane theyr practise.

734 1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., III. § 9. The proportions of the three Grecian orders were taken from the human body.

735 1766.  Goldsm., Vicar W., xvii. All the ladies of the continent would come over to take pattern from ours.

736 1878.  H. H. Gibbs, Ombre, 8. The Frontispiece … is taken from Seymour’s ‘Compleat Gamester.’

737 1890.  W. James, Princ. Psychol., I. 272. To show that the question of reality being extra-mental or not is not likely to arise in the absence of repeated experiences of the same, take the example of an altogether unprecedented experience, such as a new taste in the throat.

738   b.  spec. To obtain from its natural source (e.g., stone from a quarry), to get; to pluck, gather (plants, a crop). Now rare.

739 c. 1477.  Caxton, Jason, 121 b. And thenne she was … borne into alle the Regyons of the world where she gadred and toke many herbes of dyuerce facons and condicions.

740 1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. xi. 46. Mines whereof are taken great quantity of stone.

741 1844.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., V. I. 174. In taking the crop reaping is universal.

742   31.  To derive, ‘draw’ (origin, name, character, or some attribute or quality) from some source. Const. from, in, of.

743 c. 1200.  Ormin, 16340. Adam … Off whamm I toc mi bodiȝlich.

744 c. 1205.  Lay., 29410. Brutaine hit wes ihaten of Bruttin nom taken.

745 13[?].  Cursor M., 36. Ilk a frouit … takes fra þe rote his kinde. Ibid., 20085. He þat toke of hir his fless … hang a tre þar nailed to.

746 1432–50.  trans. Higden (Rolls), II. 255. Men of Assiria toke theire name of Assur, men of Hebrewe of Heber.

747 1474.  Caxton, Chesse, III. i. (1883), 77. We were first formed and toke our begynnyng of the erthe.

748 1586.  W. Webbe, Eng. Poetrie (Arb.), 56. Ryme, taken from the Greeke worde Ρυθμος.

749 1660.  Bloome, Archit., A j. The … Columnes called Dorica, taking beginning of Dorus, Prince of Achaia and Peloponnesus.

750 1772.  Sir W. Jones, Ess., i. Poems, etc. (1777), 186. The Turks … took their numbers, and their taste for poetry from the Persians.

751 1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xxii. IV. 776. No English title had ever before been taken from a place of battle lying within a foreign territory.

752 1894.  ‘Mark Twain,’ In Defence of Harriet Shelley, in N. Amer. Rev., CLIX. 109. The negroes have a name for this grave deportment-tournament; a name taken from the prize contended for. They call it a Cake-Walk.

753   † b.  To infer, deduce; to obtain as a result.

754 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 343. But hou shulde men take of þis to roune wiþ prestis & þus to be assoiled?

755 c. 1391.  Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 25. Adde thanne thilke declinacion to the altitude of the sonne at noon and tak ther the heuedes of aries & libra & thin Equinoxial.

756 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., 54. Of which … text thei taken that whoeuer is a persoon of Saluacioun schal soone understonde the trewe meenyng of Holi Scripture.

757   32.  To get as a result or product by some special process. a. To get (information, evidence, etc.), or ascertain (a fact), by inquiry, questioning, examination, or the like; also transf. to perform or carry on (an examination or the like) in order to ascertain something (cf. 52).

758 1460.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 388/1. By Inquisitions tane uppon ychone of the same Wyrtes.

759 1511–2.  Act 3 Hen. VIII., c. 21. Preamble, An untrue Inquysicion taken before your Eschetoure in the seid Countie.

760 1583.  Stocker, Civ. Warres Love C., I. 68 b. Information which was taken by the Inquisitours here aboutes.

761 1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., IV. i. 133. Let vs take a muster speedily.

762 1600.  in Shaks. Cent. Praise (1879), 35. The examination of Sr Gelly merick Knyght taken the xvijth of Februarij, 1600.

763 1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 626. Himself their Herdsman, on the middle Mount, Takes of his muster’d Flocks a just Account.

764 1705.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4139/5. The King … took a Review of the Forces.

765 1768.  Blackstone, Comm., III. iv. 59. A commission of assise, directed to the judges and clerk of assise, to take assises; that is, to take the verdict of a peculiar species of jury called an assise. Ibid., vii. 101. [The judge] takes information by hearing advocates on both sides, and thereupon forms his interlocutory decree or definitive sentence at his own discretion.

766 1817.  Mar. Edgeworth, Harrington, ii. (1832), 21. He hastened down to the country to take the sense of his constituents.

767 1863.  H. Cox, Instit., III. vii. 698. He never disposes of any important preferments without taking the pleasure of the Crown.

768 1890.  Cornhill Mag., Sept., 276. Tests are taken to see if the cable has sustained any damage.

769 1893.  National Observer, 7 Oct., 524/1. A Bill on which it dare not take the country’s opinion.

770   b.  To get or ascertain by measurement or scientific observation; also transf. to make, perform (a measurement, an observation). See also MEASURE sb. 2 c, 3 a.

771 c. 1430.  [see MEASURE sb. 2 c].

772 c. 1470.  Henryson, Mor. Fab., X. (Fox & Wolf), v. Bot Astrolab, Quadrant, and Almanak,… The mouing of the heuin this Tod can tak.

773 1579.  Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 38. The height of Heauen is taken by the staffe.

774 1598.  W. Phillip, trans. Linschoten, I. xciii. 170/1. Taking the hight of the Sunne, we found ourselues to be under 37 degrees.

775 1622.  Massinger, Virg. Mart., III. iii. Misery taking the length of my foot, it boots not me to sue for life.

776 1663.  Butler, Hud., I. I. 122. For he by Geometrick Scale Could take the Size of Pots of Ale.

777 1697.  Collier, Ess. Mor. Subj., I. (1703), 111. The Taylor should take measure of their quality as well as of their limbs.

778 1847.  Tennyson, Princ., III. 153. That afternoon the Princess rode to take The dip of certain strata to the North.

779 1887.  Westall, Capt. Trafalgar, xviii. 236. Isn’t it about time for taking the sun?… it is four days since we knew our position.

780 1900.  Lückes, Gen. Nursing, xii. (ed. 2), 147. The temperature has to be taken every hour.

781 1916.  Gilbert Cannan, Three Sons & a Mother, xxxii. 381. They’ve got to take the mood of the people they have to do their tricks before, and they’re all tired people.

782 Mod.  The weather was too cloudy to take any observations.

783   † c.  To measure off (a length or distance). Obs.

784 1660.  Barrow, Euclid, I. ii. Schol., The line AG might be taken with a pair of compasses.

785 1669.  Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., I. ii. 32. Take with your Compasses the Line C.

786 1831.  Brewster, Optics, iv. 38. From a scale on which hm is 1·500, take in the compasses ‘1.’

787   33.  a. To obtain in writing, write down, make (notes, a copy, etc.); to write down (spoken words), report in writing (a speech, etc.).

788 1591–1875.  [see NOTE sb.2 13 b].

789 1601.  Shaks., All’s Well, IV. iii. 130. His confession is taken, and it shall bee read to his face.

790 1653.  H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., xv. 48. Taking an inventory of this prize.

791 1708.  in Burton’s Diary (1828), III. 93. His Majesty sent for Mr. Rushworth, the Clerk, whom he observed to take his speech in character.

792 1712.  F. T., Meth. Short-Hand, p. vi. ’Tis by Short-Hand that all Speeches, Homilies, Tryals, Sermons, &c. are … taken.

793 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time, ann. 1672 (1823), I. 538. He would not let me take a copy of it.

794 1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., V. § 1. To stand by,… and take notes of all that passeth.

795 1776.  Trial of Nundocomar, 22/1. The Monshy took the copy by my directions.

796 1883.  M. D. Chalmers, Local Govt., iii. 41. Minutes of the meeting must be taken.

797 1901.  S. Paget, Mem. Sir J. Paget, iii. (ed. 2), 61. He had no clinical clerks, and his cases were not taken.

798 1922.  Jane L. Mesick, The English Traveller in America, 1785–1835, i. 16. Inveterate observers and travellers like Isaac Candler or Francis Baily took notes on ‘those things which attracted attention either by their novelty or importance,’ notes which were published later for their intrinsic value.

799   b.  To obtain by drawing, delineating, etc.; to make, execute (a figure or picture, now esp. a photograph, of some object); also transf. to obtain or make a figure or picture of, to portray; now esp. to photograph. Also (colloq.) intr. for pass. (with qualifying adv.) of a person: To be a (good or bad) subject for photographing.

800 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 757. Another picture … which he tooke by another of these Cats in the possession of the Duke of Saxony.

801 1664.  Wood, Life, etc. (O. H. S.), II. 20. I went to the castle [Bampton] … and took the ruins thereof.

802 1751.  T. Hollis, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 379. A Scheme for taking and publishing the Antiquities existing at Athens.

803 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., xvi. A limner, who travelled the country, and took likenesses for fifteen shillings a head.

804 1789.  Mrs. Piozzi, Journ. France, I. 150. Her portrait … will not be found difficult to take.

805 1859.  Reeve, Brittany, 48. Mr. Taylor took the view three times before he quite satisfied himself as to the quality of the negative.

806 1889.  Mallock, Enchanted Isl., 230. I took a photograph of their church.

807 1889.  Blanche Howard, Open Door, ix. 145. The photographers … say a woman ‘takes’ better standing.

808 1899.  F. V. Kirby, Sport E. C. Africa, xxviii. 310. I wished for my camera, for never was there a better chance of ‘taking’ one of these animals.

809 1922.  Henry E. Patton, Fifty Years of Disestablishment, vi. 98. He instinctively disliked being photographed. An artist once applied for leave to take his likeness, but the Bishop [FitzGerald] sent him word that he was ‘not disposed to show him such a countenance.’

810 Mod.  A snap-shot taken by an amateur.

811   VI.  To take something given or offered; to receive, accept, exact, and related senses.

812   *  To receive what is given or bestowed.

813   34.  To receive, get (something given, bestowed, or administered); to have conferred upon one (spec. a sacrament, office, order of merit, degree, etc.); to win, or receive as won (a prize, reward); to gain, acquire (experience, etc.; see also to take success, s.v. SUCCESS). Also absol.

814 c. 1200.  Ormin, 5378. Forr to takenn hæle att himm Off iwhillc unntrummnesse.

815 13[?].  Cursor M., 12755 (Gött.). In water baptist he alle þa Þat come til him baptim to ta. Ibid. (c. 1375), 19531 (Fairf.). Simon … toke þe sacrement of hali kirk.

816 1382.  Wyclif, Matt. vii. 8. Eche that axith, takith. Ibid., 1 Cor. xi. 24. For the Lord Ihesu … took breed … and brak, and seide, Take ȝe and ete ȝe.

817 c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 2168. And ye now will liston a stound How he toke armes of kyng Calomond. [Cf. ARM sb.2 15.]

818 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 5412. Þar he toke tonsure brade.

819 c. 1450.  trans. De Imitatione, III. lix. 250. It is more blessyd to gyue than take.

820 1617.  Moryson, Itin., I. 29. In the house where the Doctors, and other Graduates take their degrees.

821 1689.  T. R., View Govt. Europe, 74. The Nations round about submitted and took Laws from him.

822 1766.  Entick, London, IV. 31. The will is to be proved, and administration is to be taken.

823 1805.  Scott, Last Minstr., IV. xxvi. Knighthood he took of Douglas’ sword.

824 1888.  Mrs. H. Ward, R. Elsmere, iv. 50. I don’t feel as if I should ever take orders.

825   b.  To receive (something inflicted); to have (something) done to one; to suffer, undergo, submit to.

826 c. 1200.  Ormin, Pref. 90. Þatt he toc dæþ o rode.

827 1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 12626. God graunte vs grace,… for oure synne swyche penaunce [to] take, Þat we be neuer more a-teynt.

828 13[?].  [see PENANCE sb. 2]

829 a. 1425.  Cursor M., 16290 (Trin.). Wiþ his hond a buffet he ȝaf ihesus ful sore … ‘take þat to teche þe lore.’

830 1485.  Caxton, Chas. Gt., 220. To the ende that they shold not take deth that day.

831 1581.  Rich, Farewell (Shaks. Soc.), 212. I will not see her take a manifest wrong.

832 1663.  Butler, Hud., I. II. 947. He took the Blow upon his Arm.

833 1748.  G. White, Serm. (MS.). He had much rather take, than do, wrong.

834 1869.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., III. xii. 162. The mere senseless love of giving and taking blows without an object.

835 1879.  Miss Yonge, Cameos, Ser. IV. iii. 39. He professed himself ready to take his trial.

836   c.  To receive (something said to one); to receive information of, to hear; in imper. often = ‘let me tell you.’ Somewhat arch.

837 1595.  Shaks., John, I. i. 21. Then take my Kings defiance from my mouth. Ibid. (1596), Tam. Shr. II. i. 191. Take this of me, Kate of my consolation,… My selfe am moou’d to woo thee for my wife.

838 1609.  Heywood, Brit. Troy, XII. lxiv. After they had tooke and given the Time of Day.

839 1671.  Milton, Samson, 1570. Then take the worst in brief, Samson is dead.

840 1805.  Scott, Last Minstr., IV. xxvi. Take our defiance loud and high.

841 1846.  W. E. Forster, in Reid, Life, I. vi. 186. The fact is, they will soon wear nothing. There; take that!

842   35.  To enter into the enjoyment of (pleasure, recreation, rest, or the like). See also EASE sb. 2, NAP sb.2 b. (Cf. 13.)

843 13[?].  Cursor M., 6317 (Gött.). Þat niht he ȝede and tok his rest.

844 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 2488. [Þei] hiȝed hem homward fast … & token redli here rest.

845 1530.  Palsgr., 749/2. I take my rest.

846 1549.  Latimer, Serm. Ploughers (Arb.), 38. In the meane tyme the Prelates take theyr pleasures.

847 1597.  Beard, Theatre God’s Judgem. (1612), 328. Before any other should take tast thereof.

848 1752.  Mrs. Lennox, Fem. Quix., I. i. Sometimes he took the diversion of hunting.

849 1779.  Mirror, No. 60. One of the company proposed that they should take a game at cards.

850 1897.  ‘Olive P. Rayner’ (Grant Allen), Type-writer Girl, x. 108. So perforce I took holiday.

851   ** To receive what is due or owing; to exact.

852   36.  To receive or get in payment, as wages, etc., or by way of charge or exaction as a fine, tribute; sometimes with connotation ‘accept’ (cf. 39), or charge, exact, demand’ (cf. 37, 38).

853 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 16485. ‘Tas,’ he said, ‘your penis here A felun folk er yee.’ Ibid. (13[?]), 28405. Agains will i lent my thing, And quilum tok þar-for okeryng.

854 1427–8.  Rec. St. Mary at Hill, 68. Also for a carpenter iiij dayes … takyng vj d & his mete a day.

855 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, ix. 216. Straunge knyghtes that were come vnto hym to take wages.

856 1579.  Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 133. This olde miser asking of Aristippus what he woulde take to teache and bring vp his sonne.

857 1684.  Contempl. State Man, I. vi. (1699), 64. What would he now take for all the Honours of this World.

858 1708.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1886), II. 83. For takeing greater interest … than by law is allow’d.

859 1842.  Browning, Pied Piper, ix. A thousand guilders! Come, take fifty!

860 1896.  Act 59 & 60 Vict., c. 59 § 2 (b). Provided always … that no money for admission be taken at the doors.

861   37.  To exact (satisfaction or reparation) for an offence; hence, to execute, inflict (vengeance, revenge; † punishment, † justice). Const. on, † of.

862 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5862. Þat sucrd apon hus tak na wrak. Ibid., 6094. O þam mi wengeance sal i take.

863 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 202. Whan God took wreche of Kaymes synne.

864 1474.  Caxton, Chesse, II. v. (1883), 68. I wold take vengeance and turmente the.

865 1533.  Bellenden, Livy, I. ix. (S.T.S.), 52. Þat he mycht Iustlie tak punycioun of all þe Albane pepill.

866 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 127. His fellowes take punishment of him, and fall on him, biting and rending his skin.

867 1633.  [see REVENGE sb. 4].

868 a. 1774.  Goldsm., trans. Scarron’s Com. Romance (1775), II. 118. The counsellor … had need of all his good sense to prevent him from taking immediate justice on a man, who sought to injure him so capitally.

869 1779.  Forrest, N. Guinea, 313. To take satisfaction … for the death of Fakymolano’s brother at Ramis.

870   † 38.  To receive, exact, or accept (a promise, engagement, oath, or the like); hence, to administer or witness (an oath). To take an oath of, To take (any one) sworn: see OATH sb. 1, SWORN ppl. a.

871 c. 1450, 1593, 1599.  [see OATH sb. 1].

872 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 55 b. Then began he to take stipulation of them.

873 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time, an. 1672 (1823), I. 538. He took a solemn engagement of her, that, if scruples should arise in her mind, she would let him know them.

874 1833.  Act 3 & 4 Will. IV., c. 74 § 82. [He] shall be competent to take the acknowledgment of any married woman wheresoever she may reside.

875 1873.  Act 36 & 37 Vict., c. 66 § 84. Commissioners to take oaths and affidavits in the Supreme Court.

876   ***  To accept.

877   39.  To receive (something offered), not to refuse or reject; to receive willingly; to accept.

878 c. 1200.  Ormin, 4828. Ȝiff þatt we takenn bliþeliȝ Att Godd all þatt iss sellþe.

879 c. 1330.  Amis & Amil., 1112. Y schal for the take bataile.

880 c. 1400.  Prymer (1895), 50. Take oure preier, & late þe merci of þi pitee assoile hem þat ben boundun wiþ þe cheyne of synnes.

881 a. 1500.  in C. Trice-Martin, Chanc. Proc. 15th C. (1904), 3. To thentent that she shuld not be taken to bayle, but kept still in prisone.

882 1534.  More, Treat. Passion, Wks., 1281/1. Such as wil take the benefite.

883 1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., III. i. 100. Take no repulse, what euer she doth say.

884 1697.  in N. & Q., 10th Ser. (1908), IX. 378/2. There was not one of the House of Commons but … would take a bribe.

885 1837.  Dickens, Pickw., ii. Gentleman says he’ll not detain you a moment, sir, but he can take no denial.

886 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xxii. She held out her hand with so frank and winning a grace, that Osborne could not but take it.

887 1904.  Stanley Weyman, Abbess of Vlaye, iii. There’s a party ringing at the gate, my lord, and—and won’t take no!

888   b.  Of a female animal: To admit (the male). See also take horse in Phrases, 70 c.

889 1577.  [see 70 c].

890 1759.  Brown, Compl. Farmer, 65. Neither can they suckle their young, till they have taken buck.

891 1845.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., VI. II. 363. I … set down … the Ewes as they take the ram. Ibid. (1864), XXV. I. 254. The number of hours during which they take the bull varies from 24 to 48.

892   c.  Of fish (with mixture of sense 2 b): To seize (the bait). Also absol.

893 1863.  W. C. Baldwin, Afr. Hunting, vi. 205. They take admirably, but we have only crooked pins for hooks, and cannot catch many.

894 1867.  F. Francis, Angling, v. (1880), 162. Sometimes fish rise quickly and take quickly.

895 1889.  Mrs. E. Kennard, Landing a Prize, III. i. 6. Fish always take best after rain.

896   40.  To accept (a wager, or the person who offers to lay the wager). So also in reference to a proposal, etc.: see also to take any one at his WORD.

897 1602.  Rowlands, Greene’s Ghost, 49. I take you, sayd one or two, and the wager being layd, awaie they went.

898 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. xiii. 268. I was for taking him at that proposal.

899 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 678/2. I’ll take ten to one on it.

900 1890.  Field, 24 May, 757/1. 800 to 100 was taken about him.

901 1890.  Clark Russell, Ocean Trag., I. vi. 123. He bet me a sovereign…. I took him.

902   b.  To take one’s death (upon a thing): to stake one’s life upon it.

903 1553.  Becon, Reliques Rome (1563), 59. He tooke hys death thereon, that he was neuer giltye.

904 1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., II. iii. 90. I will take my death, I neuer meant him any ill.

905   41.  To accept and act upon (advice, a hint, warning, etc.).

906 c. 1300.  St. Margarete, 136. Þt maide … seide … goþ fram me anon; Anoþer consail ich haue itake, ich forsake ȝou echon.

907 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 12869. The troiens full tite token his rede.

908 1605.  [see ADVICE 5].

909 1610.  Shaks., Temp., II. i. 288. They’l take suggestion, as a Cat laps milke.

910 1611.  [see HINT sb. 1].

911 1718.  Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. to Lady Rich, 10 Oct. They … took the first hint of their dress from a fair sheep newly ruddled.

912 1877.  Miss Yonge, Cameos, Ser. III. xxxiv. 363. Would that France had taken to itself the teaching!

913 1892.  Punch, 29 Oct., 196/2. [He] begged others to take warning by his fate.

914 1899.  Tit-Bits, 28 Oct., 109/2. ’Come along, dear, take your call,’ said he, pulling back the heavy curtains.

915   b.  To accept as true or correct; to believe (something told to one). (Cf. 34 c.) Also, to accept mistakenly as trustworthy, to be deceived by (quot. 1728): cf. take in, 82 o.

916 c. 1200.  Ormin, 2824. Forr þatt tu toc wiþþ trowwþe Þatt word.

917 1587.  in W. M. Williams, Ann. Founders’ Co. (1867), 69. He givinge his fayth promyse to Mr. Alderman…. Mr. Alderman tooke his worde, and rose, and went his ways.

918 1605.  Shaks., Lear, IV. vi. 144. I would not take this from report.

919 1622.  Massinger, Virg. Mart., II. i. We have not been idle, take it upon my word.

920 1728.  Eliza Heywood, trans. Mme. de Gomez’s Belle A. (1732), II. 142. The King seeing that they had took the Feint, said at Night,… Ghent is invested, and we must go anon to raise the Siege.

921 1889.  Philips & Wills, Fatal Phryne, II. iii. 76. You may take it from me that the pot means what it says.

922   42.  To accept with the mind or will in some specified way (well, ill, in earnest, etc.). See also to take to heart (HEART sb. 44), take in good (etc.) part (PART sb. 26 b), take in SCORN, take in SNUFF.

923 c. 1200.  Ormin, 7390. Biforenn þa þatt tĕkenn all Onn hæþinng þatt we spellenn.

924 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4619. Nai, sir, tas noght in despite. Ibid., 16396. Quen [Pilate] sagh þat al his soigne þai tok it al to ill.

925 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Wife’s T., 342. To hym that taketh it in pacience.

926 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1049. Þir wordes cuthbert wysely toke.

927 1530.  Palsgr., 747/1. I take a thyng a mysse, je mesprens.

928 1553.  Latimer, Serm., on Twelfth Day (1635), 293 b. There is a common saying amongst us…, Every thing is (say they) as it is taken, which indeed is not so: for every thing is as it is, howsoever it be taken.

929 1577.  B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., IV. (1586), 182 b. They take it ill, and presently leaue working.

930 1579.  W. Wilkinson, Confut. Family of Loue, B ij. Take this brief … aunswere … in good part.

931 1671.  Lady Mary Bertie, in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 22. I take it very ill that none of my nephews would drawe mee.

932 1728.  Morgan, Algiers, I. Pref. 26. Multitudes of People … would take it in excessive Dudgeon to be thought unfashionable.

933 1758.  Johnson, Lett. to Miss Porter, 1 March. I shall take it very kindly if you write to me.

934 1872.  Black, Adv. Phaeton, x. 145. The Lieutenant took the matter very coolly.

935 1888.  Mrs. J. K. Spender, Kept Secret, III. i. 15. I did not mean you to take me in earnest.

936 1911.  Masefield, Multitude & Solitude, i. 14. Fear lest they should misunderstand his insult, and perhaps take it as a compliment, restrained him in the end, even more than the thought of what his wife would say.

937   b.  To accept without objection, opposition, or resentment; to be content with; to put up with, tolerate, ‘stand.’

938 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, XX. vi. 805. Ye shalle take the wo with the wele, and take hit in pacyence, and thanke god of hit.

939 1535.  Coverdale, 2 Kings xiv. 10. Take the prayse, and byde at home.

940 1595.  Maynarde, Drake’s Voy. (Hakl. Soc.), 18. He resolved to departe, and to take the winde as God sent it.

941 c. 1779.  R. Cumberland, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 410. I take events as they fall without murmur or complaint.

942 1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, V. i. ¶ 38. I had the good sense to take things as I found them.

943 1896.  Wills, in Law Times Rep., LXXIII. 689/1. If he does not conform to their law, he must take the consequences.

944   43.  To face and attempt to get over, through, up, etc. (something that presents itself in one’s way), or actually to do so; to clear (an obstacle, as a fence, ditch, wave, space, etc.); to mount (a slope), get round (a corner), clear (the points on a railway line), etc.

945 1579.  Tomson, Calvin’s Serm. Tim., 912/2. To take hedge and ditch, and go on forwards through brambles and briers.

946 1632.  Massinger & Field, Fatal Dowry, IV. i. I look about, and neigh, take hedge and ditch.

947 1838.  Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl., I. 139/2. The tendency to … friction in passing round curves, and the difficulty of taking the points.

948 1843.  R. J. Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xxxi. 428. He … is able to run up, taking two of the large stone stair-steps at each spring.

949 1859.  Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, xii. Nothing like ‘taking’ a few bushes and ditches for exorcising a demon.

950 1864.  Good Words, 628/1. His pony ‘takes timber’ without asking a question.

951 1892.  Graphic, 9 April, 467/1. The proper course to steer is for Craven Cottage Point, which can be taken rather closely.

952 1915.  A. Stringer, Hand of Peril, iii. 154. It was all done so quickly that the driver of the taxi himself was quite ignorant of that intrusion as the car gathered speed and took the turn at the next corner.

953   ****  To admit, absorb, include.

954   44.  a. To admit, let in; to receive something fitted into it (quot. 1793): = take in, 82 a.

955 1674.  trans. Martiniere’s Voy. Northern C., 27. A small hole in the Keel, which took a little water.

956 1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., 244. The cavities cut on the under side … to take the upper half of each cube.

957 1890.  Temple Bar Mag., March, 371. The Anonyma … several times took more water than we liked.

958   b.  To absorb or become impregnated with (something detrimental, as moisture); to be affected injuriously by; to contract (disease, infection, injury, etc.); to fall into (a fit or trance). See also AIR sb. 11, COLD sb. 4 a, b, WIND.

959 13[?].  Cursor M., 23039 (Gött.). Of nakedhede quen i toke [Cott. drogh) harm Ȝe gaf me clething wid to warm.

960 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 109. Þat þe water … takeþ no defoul, but is clene i-now [etc.].

961 1513.  Act 5 Hen. VIII., c. 4 § 1 (3). If the same Worsted … taketh any Wet, incontinent it will shew spotty and foul.

962 1530.  Palsgr., 747/2. I take colde, je me morfons.

963 1547.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 78. Personis that … takis seikness in our Soverane Ladyis army.

964 1555.  Eden, Decades, 16. The vytayles corrupted by taking water.

965 1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., V. i. 85. As men take diseases, one of another.

966 1639.  N. N., trans. Du Bosq’s Compl. Woman, II. 22. That lampe of the Romans, which … went out as soon as it tooke Aire.

967 1712.  Hearne, Collect. (O. H. S.), III. 301. The Book hath taken wet, and the Letters … are hardly visible.

968 1864.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XXV. II. 559. Both sheep took the disease.

969 1885.  Mrs. Lynn Linton, Chr. Kirkl., III. x. 309. A man who takes all the epidemics afloat.

970   c.  To absorb, contract, become impregnated with (a dye, color, quality, salt, etc.); to receive, become affected by (an impression, a polish, or the like).

971 1592.  Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 354. His tendrer cheeke receiues her soft hands print, As apt as new falne snow takes any dint.

972 1601.  Holland, Pliny, XXXV. vi. It will take colour and be marked verie well.

973 a. 1642.  Sir W. Monson, Naval Tracts, II. (1704), 264/1. No Flesh in the Indies will take Salt.

974 1697.  Collier, Ess. Mor. Subj., II. (1703), 122. To see the cheeks take the dye of the passions thus naturally.

975 1727.  A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., I. xxii. 260. The Flesh was not so savoury … nor would it take Salt kindly.

976 1865.  Reader, 1 April, 371/2. It takes dyes admirably—much better than cotton.

977 1877.  W. R. Cooper, Egypt. Obelisks, i. (1878), 3. A granite, or hard sandstone, capable of … taking a high polish.

978   d.  absol. or intr. To become affected in the required or desired way: in various applications, as: to catch fire, kindle; to become coated or impregnated with something; to become inoculated; to become frozen; to catch the wind.

979 1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., II. i. 55. I can take, and Pistols cocke is vp, And flashing fire will follow.

980 1683.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, xxiv. ¶ 10. He trys if his Balls will Take, that is…: If he finds the Inck sticks to it equally all about…, it Takes.

981 1793.  Regal Rambler, or, Devil in Lond., 40. Our hero laid in a large cargo of fresh fuel, ready to touch and take like phosphorus.

982 1846.  Dickens, Cricket on Hearth, 30. Vaccinated just six weeks ago-o! Took very fine-ly!

983 1890.  Whitelegge, Hygiene, xii. 264. Many [people] ‘take’ readily within five years [of vaccination].

984 1907.  Amer. Printer, XLVI. 68. Exhibit A on the common paper, takes the ink readily, being full, deep and of a solid tone.

985   † 45.  trans. To include, comprise; to contain: = take in, 82 k. Obs.

986 c. 1200.  Ormin, 15076. Þa fetless tokenn, seȝȝþ Goddspell, Twinne mett, oþerr þrinne.

987 a. 1637.  B. Jonson, Hymn on Nativity, ii. He whom the whole world could not take,… Was now laid in a manger.

988   b.  Of water: To take (one) up to (the ankles, knees, shoulders), over (the head), to submerge (one) to that depth. Now Sc.

989 1654.  Z. Coke, Logick, To Reader. Truths that before delug’d you, will now take you but up to the Ancles.

990 1818.  Scott, Rob Roy, xxx. Mountain torrents, some of which took the soldiers up to the knees.

991 1878.  Saxon, Gallovedian Gossip, 15. The sea took him abune the knees.

992 Mod. Sc. There’s a deep hole there, that will take a man over the head.

993   VII.  Senses related to VI, denoting intellectual action.

994   *  To apprehend mentally, to conceive, understand, consider.

995   46.  To receive and hold with the intellect; to grasp mentally, apprehend, comprehend, understand: = take in, 82 l. (Now only in reference to the meaning of words.)

996 1382.  Wyclif, John i. 5. And the liȝt schyneth in derknessis, and derknessis tooken [1388 comprehendiden] not it.

997 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 4656. Goddis wisdome þat none may take [L. incomprehensibilis].

998 1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, II. (1895), 214. Thys kynde of learnynge … they toke so muche the souner.

999 1666.  Pepys, Diary, 30 July. The girl do take musick mighty readily.

1000 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 278. The Reader will easily take the Meaning.

1001 1860.  Thackeray, Round. Papers, i. (1899), 170. You take the allegory? Novels are sweets.

1002 1893.  National Observer, 11 March, 413/2. An audience … quick to take his points.

1003   b.  transf. To apprehend the meaning of, understand (a person, i.e., what he says).

1004 1513.  Douglas, Æneis, I. Prol. 318. Quha takis me nocht, go quhair thai haue ado.

1005 1622.  Bacon, Holy War, Wks. 1879, I. 525/2. You take me right, Eupolis.

1006 1707.  J. Stevens, trans. Quevedo’s Com. Wks. (1799), 350. Do you take me Sir?

1007 1810.  Crabbe, Borough, X. iii. Wks. 1834, III. 180. I spoke my thought—you take me—what I think.

1008 1882.  Stevenson, New Arab. Nts. (1884), 219. I am not in this affair for him. You take me?

1009 1906.  L. F. Austin, Points of View, ix. 73. Do you take my drift?

1010   47.  a. With adv. or advb. phr. To understand or apprehend in a specified way. Also with person as obj. In quot. a. 1300, ‘to understand to be meant’: cf. 48 b.

1011 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1379. [God] Þe fader in cedre þou sal take, A tre of heght, þat has na make. Ibid. (13[?]), 28974. Chastiyng o flex[e]s foure fald to tak In praier, fasting, wand, and wak.

1012 c. 1460.  R. Ros, La Belle Dame, 582. And so must he be take in every place.

1013 1552.  Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion (ad fin.). Leste yet the same kneelyng myghte be thought or taken otherwyse.

1014 1642.  trans. Perkins’ Prof. Bk., viii. § 522. So was the law taken in Anno 4. H. 3.

1015 1665.  Bunyan, Holy Citie, 164. I the rather take it thus,… Because [etc.].

1016 1721.  Bradley, Philos. Acc. Wks. Nat., 155. If we take the Story of it right.

1017   † b.  With simple compl. To understand as, suppose to be, consider as: = take for, 48; also, to understand to mean: = 48 b. Obs.

1018 13[?].  Cursor M., 28121 (Cott.). And titter wald i lesyng make Þan man my worde vn-treu to take.

1019 c. 1400.  Apol. Loll., 35. Þo hous of God her is tane þe congregacoun of feiþful men.

1020 1538.  Treat. Bps. Rome Supremacy, i. In times past the Bishop of Constantinople tooke himself highest of all bishops.

1021 1660.  Milton, Free Commw., Wks. 1851, V. 421. They took themselves not bound by the Light of Nature or Religion to any former Covnant.

1022 1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 19, ¶ 9. I take my self obliged in Honour to go on.

1023   c.  With dependent clause: To suppose, apprehend, assume as a fact, be of opinion (that …). Usually take it.

1024 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 460. Cristenmen taken ouer þat petre was cristis viker, & suyde hym in maner of lif.

1025 1429.  Rolls of Parlt., IV. 346/1. So take that the saide Cominaltes been no Cominaltes corporat.

1026 1538.  Audley, in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden), 240. I take it that your lordshypp ys at appoynt for me to have it.

1027 1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., I. i. 63. I take it your own busines calls on you. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., IV. ii. 110. As I take it, it is almost day.

1028 1642.  trans. Perkins’ Prof. Bk., v. § 354. It is commonly taken, that if a wife run away from her husband … shee shall loose her dower.

1029 1709.  Steele & Addison, Tatler, No. 93, ¶ 4. Within this Height I take it, that all the fighting Men of Great Britain are comprehended.

1030 1842.  Tennyson, Edwin Morris, 43. I take it, God made the woman for the man, And for the good and increase of the world.

1031 1885.  Law Times, LXXX. 118/2. The learned counsel might take it that this court overruled the objection.

1032   d.  With inf. To understand, consider, suppose, imagine, assume (to be or to do something).

1033 1548.  Udall, Erasm. Par. John, 16 b. Men toke him to be mine inferiour.

1034 1663.  Butler, Hud., I. II. 889. For Men he [the Bear] always took to be His Friends, and Dogs the Enemy.

1035 a. 1677.  Barrow, Serm., Wks. 1716, III. 72. He that taketh himself to have enough, what doth he need?

1036 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. vi. 151. I take that man to be a … penitent.

1037 1878.  Huxley, Physiogr., 63. It may be taken roughly to represent one inch of rain.

1038   48.  To take … for. a. To suppose to be, consider as; often, with implication of error, to suppose to be (what it is not), to mistake for; also † to esteem or repute as (obs.: cf. 49); to assume to be. Take for granted: see GRANTED 2 b.

1039 c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 1333. Gret lordys … for a doughty knyght hym tase.

1040 c. 1515.  Cocke Lorell’s B., 3. A man wolde take hym for a shrewe I trowe.

1041 1579.  Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 65. I am not so childishe to take euery bushe for a monster.

1042 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 388. We will take it for granted that it pertaineth not to that rank or order.

1043 1632.  Lithgow, Trav., IX. 396. An Eagle taking his bald pate for a white rocke, let a shell-fish fall on it.

1044 1693.  Tate, Juvenal, xv. 178. So soft his Tresses … You’d doubt his Sex, and take him for a Girl.

1045 1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 289, ¶ 1. I have been sometimes taken … for a Parish Sexton.

1046 1889.  Stevenson, Master of B., x. 267. Do you take me for a fool?

1047 1910.  Louise Mack, Theodora’s Husband, xxxii. 240. She told herself contentedly that no one would take her for a lady of fashion now.

1048   b.  To understand to mean, to interpret as. Now rare or Obs. † In quots. c. 1200, 1340 in converse sense: To reckon or count as, to include in the meaning of (obs.).

1049 c. 1200.  Ormin, 19029. Tacc nu þe sawle forr þatt mann Þatt cumeþþ her to manne.

1050 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 2818. Alle þir four stedes … for helle þai may alle be tane, Of whilk four purgatory es ane.

1051 1596.  Harington, Metam. Ajax (1814), 24. Which word many of the simple hearers and readers take for a precious stone.

1052 1684.  J. P., trans. Frambresarius’ Art Physic, iii. 95. Generally the Word Aposteme is taken for any Tumor which is preternatural.

1053 1697.  Evelyn, Architects, Misc. Writ. (1825), 379. Otherwhiles it [the astragal] again is taken for the hoop, cincture or collar next the hypotrachelium.

1054   49.  To regard, consider, hold, esteem (as); to estimate, reckon (at so much).

1055 1531–2.  Act 23 Hen. VIII., c. 3. That any Utlarie … pleded or alleged … shalbe taken but as voide plee.

1056 1534.  Whitinton, Tullyes Offices, I. (1540), 49. He was take as a gret and a famous man.

1057 1605.  Camden, Rem., 36. This is to be take as a granted veritie.

1058 1820.  Examiner, No. 620. 130/2. We are to take the word liberal … as a piece of irony.

1059 1893.  Eng. Illustr. Mag., X. 310/2. An average length of stroke may be taken at about six yards.

1060   † b.  pa. pple. (with qualifying adv.) Reputed, esteemed. Obs.

1061 1518.  in Ld. Berners, Froiss. (1812), Pref. 17. Sir John Style … well beloued and well takyn in theis partes.

1062 1526.  Tindale, Rom. xvi. 7. Andronicus and Junia my cosyns … which are wele taken amonge the apostles.

1063 1535.  Coverdale, Judith xvi. 21. Iudith was … right honorably taken in all the londe of Israel.

1064 1597–8.  Bacon, Ess., Followers & Fr. (Arb.), 34. A thing ciuile, and well taken euen in Monarchies.

1065   **  To conceive and exercise.

1066   50.  To begin to have or be affected by (a feeling or state of mind); to conceive; hence, to experience, entertain, feel (delight, pleasure, pride, etc.).

1067   See also DELIGHT sb. 1 b, FRIGHT sb. 1, HUFF sb. 2 b, INTEREST sb. 7. OFFENCE sb. 5 c, PET sb.2, PLEASURE sb. 5 f, PRIDE sb.1 4, UMBRAGE, etc.

1068 c. 1200.  Ormin, 19558. Þatt tatt Farisewisshe follc Strang wraþþe takenn haffde.

1069 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 448. Agains him [God] be tok a pride.

1070 1390–.  [see OFFENCE sb. 5 c].

1071 1390.  Gower, Conf., II. 100. Wherof the king gret hevynesse Hath take.

1072 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, IV. i. 119. Take none heuynesse, said Merlyn. Ibid., VI. xv. 207. She took suche sorou that shee dyed.

1073 1535.  Coverdale, Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Ye shal take displeasure at youre owne selues, by reason of youre synnes and abhominacions.

1074 a. 1553.  [see GRIEF sb. 4 b].

1075 1694.  Acc. Sev. Late Voy., Introd. 6. Upon some disgust taken at his Master.

1076 1773.  Life N. Frowde, 15. Persons to whom I had taken so much Dislike.

1077 1888.  Lester, Hartas Maturin, III. ii. 41. Women do take prejudices.

1078   b.  absol. or intr. To take a fancy or liking: cf. take to, 74 g, take with, 75 c.

1079 1600.  Dymmock, Treat. Irel. (1841), 6. They are quicke and capable, kind harted where they take.

1080 1874.  Hardy, Madding Crowd, xviii. Mistress and man were engaged in the operation of making a lamb ‘take,’ which is performed whenever a ewe has lost her own offspring, one of the twins of another ewe being given her as a substitute.

1081   † c.  To take on oneself: to become distressed or disturbed in mind: = take on, 84 j. Obs.

1082 1632.  J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 121. The Prince,… because he found him not, tooke on him like a mad man.

1083   51.  trans. a. To conceive and adopt with the will (a parpose, resolution, etc.), or with the intellect (an estimate, view, etc.); to form and hold in the mind. See also PURPOSE sb. 2 b, REDE sb.1 2 b.

1084 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11151. He … tok his redd al for to fle, Priuelik and latt hir be.

1085 1375–.  [see PURPOSE sb. 2 b].

1086 1513.  Douglas, Æneis, V. i. 10. The Troianis in thare breistis tuk ane ges Quharfor it was.

1087 1652.  Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 37. A conclusion [was] taken to refer all to their several Princes.

1088 1660.  Barrow, Euclid, Pref. (1714), 2. I took a Resolution to make use of most of the Schemes of the said Book.

1089 1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VII. ii. Having taken a resolution to leave the Country.

1090 1891.  Law Times, XC. 462/2. We do not take the alarmnist view of our correspondent.

1091   b.  To conceive and exercise (courage, heart, etc.; † mercy (obs.), pity, etc.); to form in the mind and exhibit in action. (Sometimes nearly coinciding with sense 16 a, to assume: cf. also branch VIII.) See also COURAGE sb. 4 d, HEART sb. 49, HEART OF GRACE, PITY sb. 2.

1092 13[?].  Guy Warw. (A), 4656. Now, sir, take þerof pite.

1093 13[?], 1530.  [see HEART sb. 49].

1094 13[?].  Cursor M., 27136. Quen þou tas to þe baldhede O gretter mans sinful dede.

1095 1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, A viij. Wherfore God took mercy on them.

1096 c. 1490–1841.  [see COURAGE sb. 4 d].

1097 1530–1890.  [see HEART OF GRACE].

1098 1593.  Abp. Bancroft, Daung. Posit., II. vii. 54. They have taken greater boldnesse, and growen more rebellious.

1099 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time, an. 1672 (1823), I. 538. No popish priest had ever taken the confidence to speak to her of those matters.

1100 1883.  Times (weekly ed.), 18 May, 3/4. The Arabs would have taken fresh heart.

1101   c.  To exercise with the mind, in thought (note, notice, † intent, etc.), or with the mind and will, in action (care, heed, † diligence, etc.). Cf. branches VIII., IX. See also CARE sb. 3 c, HEED sb. 1 b, INTENT sb. 2, KEEP sb. 1, 2, NOTE sb.2 20 b, NOTICE sb. 6, 7, REGARD sb. 6 b, TENT sb.2, THOUGHT sb.

1102 a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 1379. Þe deore Drihtin areaw us, & toc read to ure alde dusischipes.

1103 a. 1300–.  [see KEEP sb. 1, 2].

1104 c. 1305–.  [see HEED sb. 1 b].

1105 13[?].  Cursor M., 27228. Ilk man þat will ta ȝeme.

1106 c. 1368.  Chaucer, Compl. Pite, 82. But ye the rather take cure To breke that perilouse alliaunce.

1107 c. 1375.  Cursor M., 12592 (Fairf.). Hamward þai went & to ihesu toke nane entent. Ibid. (c. 1425), 7937 (Trin.). Son he seide take good gome Ȝyuen þou hast þin owne dome.

1108 c. 1475.  Songs & Carols 15th c. (Percy Soc.). 54. To here song then tok I intent.

1109 1564–5.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 320. Quhairunto hir Hienes and hir Counsall mon tak ee and regard.

1110 1588–.  [see CARE sb. 3 c].

1111 1592–.  [see NOTICE sb. 6, 7).

1112 1596–.  [see NOTE sb.2 20 b].

1113 1784.  R. Bage, Barham Downs, I. 230. I took no concern about any of them.

1114   VIII.  Various senses, nearly = make, do, perform (some action). (See also senses 19, 37, 51 b, c)

1115   52.  To perform, make, do (an act, action, movement, etc.): usually with some notion of undertaking or taking upon one, and carrying out or carrying on; sometimes with that of getting.

1116   Often it forms with the object merely a periphrastic equivalent of the cognate vb.: e.g., to take a leap = to leap (once), to take a look = to look (once), to take one’s departure = to depart. (See also take aim in Phrases, 64; ACTION 7, JOURNEY sb. 3, STEP sb., TURN sb., WALK sb.)

1117 c. 1380.  Sir Ferumbras, 4029. To-morwe let ous our iorne take, Hamward aȝen to ryde.

1118 c. 1412.  Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 3400. The kyng took a laghtre, and wente his way.

1119 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., 156. At which men mowe lawȝe and take bourde for her symplenes.

1120 1477.  Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 1. I determyned me to take that voyage.

1121 1483.  Caxton, Cato, C vj b. Thou oughtest not to stryue ne take noyse wyth them that ben ful of superfluous wordes. Ibid. (c. 1489), Sonnes of Aymon, xiv. 341. Thei toke grete debate for me wyth Charlemagn wythin his pavylion.

1122 1491.  Churchw. Acc. St. Dunstan’s, Canterb. They took an axion ageynst the executores of Wyllyam Belser.

1123 1556.  Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden), 13. Thys yere the kynge … toke his viage towarde Normandy.

1124 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., III. xi. 42. Like a winged horse he [Neptune] tooke his flight.

1125 1617.  Acc. Bk. W. Wray, in Antiquary, XXXII. 214. King James … tooke his progresse towards Scotland.

1126 1678.  Bunyan, Pilgr., I. 43. How many steps have I took in vain.

1127 1693.  Humours Town, 3. Take a last farewel-look of this overgrown City. Ibid., 6. You might take a survey of the Rarities.

1128 1711.  Budgell, Spect., No. 77. ¶ 1. We took a turn or two more.

1129 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. xiv. 287. Without measuring the windings and turnings it takes. Ibid., xv. 315. He takes a great circuit about.

1130 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., xxviii. My wife, my daughter and herself were taking a walk together.

1131 1845.  M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 24. When Queen Brunchilde took her departure from Rouen.

1132 1867.  Aug. J. E. Wilson, Vashti, xxiv. I came to-day to beg you to take a trip somewhere, by sea or land.

1133 1889.  Mrs. E. Kennard, Landing Prize, III. viii. 148. The salmon took a great leap.

1134 1893.  J. Ashby Sterry, Naughty Girl, vii. I’ll just take a turn down to the club and see what’s going on.

1135   † b.  To take beginning: to begin, start, commence. (See also 31.) Obs. [= ON. taka upphaf, to begin.]

1136 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 12887. Þe ald testament hir-wit nu slakes, And sua þe neu bigining takes.

1137 1557–75.  Diurnal Occurr. (Bann. Club), 61. Vpoun the first day of August, the Parliament tuke begyning.

1138 1601.  Dolman, La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1618), III. 641. We must all beleeue … that time tooke beginning with the world.

1139   53.  To take counsel († advice, † advisement): to get advice, to consult, deliberate; † to devise; † to decide: see ADVICE 4, ADVISEMENT 3, COUNSEL 1.

1140 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4790. Þar of es god we ta consail.

1141 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 760. Thanne Dame Prudence … delibered and took auys in hir self.

1142 1480.  Caxton, Chron. Eng., cxcvii. 173. The barons token counceyll bytwene hem. Ibid. (1483), G. de la Tour, D iv b. Withoute takyng ony counceylle of her husbond.

1143 1537.  T. Cumptun, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. II. 92. After that they had communiked together and taken avisement.

1144 1609.  Bible (Douay), Judg., xx. 32. Who … tooke advise to draw them away from the citie.

1145 1879.  M. J. Guest, Lect. Hist. Eng., xxxvi. 359. She took counsel with witches and magicians.

1146   † b.  intr. ? ellipt. for take advisement. Obs.

1147 c. 1400.  Emare, 799. Grete lordes toke hem be-twene, That þey wolde exyle þe quene.

1148   † 54.  trans. To arrange, fix, agree upon, conclude (a truce, peace, league, etc.). [Cf. OF. prendre treve, 13th c.] Obs.

1149 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XIV. 96. Quhill trewis at the last tuk thai.

1150 c. 1400.  Laud Troy-Bk., 8474. It was seyde to the Emperoure … How ffight was taken hem be-twene.

1151 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 9072. The Troiens to the tenttes tristy men send, For a tru to be tan.

1152 c. 1470.  [see PEACE sb. 1 b].

1153 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xxxiii. 48. So yt they wolde take no peace, nor truse, with ye kyng of Englande.

1154 c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., xlvii. 1. Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is tooke.

1155 1656.  S. Holland, Zara (1719), 135. Having taken a Truce with his Enemy, he would not be the first should break it.

1156   55.  To take adieu, farewell: to bid farewell, say good-bye, take one’s leave. Const. of. Cf. to take leave: see LEAVE sb. 2. So † to take good night (obs.).

1157 c. 1560.  Rolland, Seven Sages, Prol. ii. I … tuke gude nicht, and said gude schirs adew.

1158 1617.  J. Taylor (Water-P.), Trav. (1872), 2. We all went to the Christopher where we took a Bacchanalian farewell one of another.

1159 1665.  Pepys, Diary, 28 Aug. I think to take adieu to-day of the London Streets.

1160 1700.  Dryden, Cock & Fox, 256. Last he drew A piteous sigh, and took a long adieu.

1161 1821.  Scott, Kenilw., vii. Thus saying, he at length took farewell.

1162 1840.  Thirlwall, Greece, VII. 195. [He] besought Demosthenes to forgive his temporary estrangement,… and took a last farewell of him.

1163 1902.  James Rigg, Nature Lyrics & Essays, 59.                        Your mind as sound As when, with bounding step, you took ‘good-bye’ To the roaring streams and rugged rocks of Skye.

1164   56.  To lay hold of, raise, put forth, make (an objection, an exception, a distinction, etc.). See also EXCEPTION sb. 7 c, OBJECTION 1 b.

1165 1542–.  [see EXCEPTION sb. 7 c].

1166 1830.  Herschel, Nat. Phil., 7. The objection which has been taken.

1167 1830.  Monk, Life R. Bentley (1833), I. 303. Instead of doing so, they take a dilemma, and intimate a belief that either by the old statutes, or by the 40th of Elizabeth’s, the Master is subject to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Ely.

1168 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vii. II. 265. Between punishments and disabilities distinction was taken. Ibid., x. 556. The distinction which they took was … ingenious.

1169 1864.  Bp. Wilberforce, Sp. Missions (1874), 46. I know well the objections men can take.

1170   IX.  Senses denoting movement or removal (lead, convey, remove, deliver, etc.), and related senses.

1171   *  To convey, carry, conduct, remove.

1172   57.  a. To carry, convey; to cause (a person or animal) to go with one, to conduct, lead, escort. Also said of a vehicle, etc.: To convey, carry (a person) to some place. Also of a road, way, etc.: = LEAD v.1 6; so of a journey, etc.

1173 c. 1200.  Ormin, 8355. Josæp, ris upp & tacc þe child, & tacc þe childess moderr.

1174 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5117. Tas Ruben þan wit yow. Ibid., 23814. Es þar na wai … Cun tak us better.

1175 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 4886. Syne tas he with him titly his twelue tried prince[s].

1176 1503.  in Trans. Roy. Hist. Soc. (1902), 153. Walter Robardes tooke this Alexr apart.

1177 1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., IV. i. 36. Take the stranger to my house.

1178 1665.  Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Warres, 832. Taking through the marshy Fields of Cazant Twelve hundred Walloons and Irish with him.

1179 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), I. xiv. 246. I took my man Friday with me.

1180 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xlviii. Being obliged to take four of us in his carriage to wait upon His Majesty.

1181 1878.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. 897/1. The second stage of the journey takes the traveler through Egypt.

1182 1908.  Betw. Trent & Ancholme, 55. A yard or two further takes us to the N.E. corner.

1183 Mod.  Will this road take me to Abingdon?

1184   b.  To carry or bear (a thing) with one; to carry to some place or person. In quot. 1883, to draw (something) through a liquid.

1185 1390.  Gower, Conf. III. 217. [Eche] hath A pot of Erthe, in which he tath A lyht brennende in a kressette.

1186 a. 1400.  Sir Perc., 478. He … Tuke with hym his schorte spere.

1187 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, II. 85. Thow Scot, to quhom takis thow this thing?

1188 1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., IV. i. 37. And with you take the Chaine. Ibid. (1605), Macb., V. iii. 19. Take thy face hence.

1189 1768.  J. Byron, Narr. Patagonia (ed. 2), 221. They will take from the ground a glove or handkerchief.

1190 1858.  Ramsay, Scot. Life & Char., v. (1870), 118. She went out and did not take the door with her [i.e., shut it after her].

1191 1883.  R. Haldane, Workshop Receipts, Ser. II. 227/1. Take [the yarn] through dilute sulphuric acid, and wash very well.

1192   c.  fig. To induce (a person) to go; to be the cause of his going. (Cf. BRING v. 1 c.)

1193 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, lxvii. ‘Particular business,’ she said, took her to Bruges.

1194 1856.  J. H. Newman, Callista (1890), 114. What takes you into the city this morning?

1195 1883.  P. Greg, Sanguelac, II. xi. 223. What took you out so late?

1196 Mod.  The business that took me to London.

1197   58.  With from, off (hence sometimes simply): To carry away, to remove; to extract; to deprive or rid a person or thing of (with various shades of connotation): = take away, 78 a, take off, 83 a, take out, 85 a: see also take out of, 86.

1198   To take off one’s feet: to carry off one’s feet by force, as a wind or wave; also fig. So to take off one’s balance, etc.

1199 a. 1272.  Luue Ron, 64, in O. E. Misc., 95. Al deþ hit wile from him take.

1200 a. 1300.  E. E. Psalter i. 5. Als duste þat winde þerthe tas fra.

1201 a. 1400.  Cursor M., 29546 (Cott. Galba). It takes [Cott. steres] his cristendom him fra.

1202 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, 19. Saying, that they should take the head from the body of hym.

1203 1535.  Coverdale, Ps. l[i]. 11. Take not thy holy sprete fro me.

1204 1567.  Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.), 147. He fra me my sin hes tane.

1205 1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 73. He … tooke from the towne the benefit of their haven.

1206 1655.  Sir E. Nicholas, in N. Papers (Camden), II. 235. His decree is annulled and taken of ye file.

1207 1678.  Butler, Hud., III. III. 693. The Law severely contrabands Our taking business off Mens hands.

1208 1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xv. The doing so would … take the case from under the statute.

1209 1825.  J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 560. A plane, which takes a thin shaving off the surface of the wood.

1210 1867.  Trollope, Chron. Barset, i. John did take his eyes off his book.

1211 Mod.  The sea was so rough when I was bathing that the waves took me off my feet.

1212   b.  To take the life of: to deprive of life, to kill.

1213 [13[?].  Cursor M., 25831. His lijf þan sal be fra him tane.

1214 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xii. 306. I praye you … that yourselfe wyl take the liff fro me, and cut of my hede.]

1215 1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., III. i. 22. Thou layd’st a Trap to take my Life.

1216 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., xxx. You imagine, perhaps, that a contempt for your own life gives you a right to take that of another.

1217 1847.  Tennyson, Princ., V. 397. Take not his life: he risk’d it for my own.

1218   c.  To remove by death.

1219 1552.  Bk. Com. Prayer, Burial of Dead. Forasmuche as it hath pleased almightie God of his great mercie to take vnto hym selfe the soule of our dere brother here departed, we therefore commit [etc.].

1220 1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., I. iv. 167. Hard-hearted Clifford, take me from the World.

1221 1616.  S. Mountagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 247. God hath taken to himself my brother Walter Mountagu.

1222 1632.  Heywood, 1st Pt. Iron Age, V. i. Wks. 1874, III. 338. Since the Fates Haue tane him from vs.

1223 1864.  Tennyson, North. Farmer, iii. ‘The amoighty’s a taäkin o’ you to ’issén, my friend,’ a said.

1224   d.  To subtract, deduct.

1225 1611.  Shaks., Cymb., II. i. 60. This her Sonne, Cannot take two from twenty for his heart, And leaue eighteene.

1226 1806.  Hutton, Course Math. (1827), I. 8. 6 – 2, denotes that 2 is to be taken from 6.

1227 1876.  E. Jenkins, Blot Queen’s Head, 28. Every one took 50 per cent. off Bobby’s expletives.

1228 1890.  Sat. Rev., 16 Aug., 192/1. Twopence in the pound was taken off the tea-duty.

1229   e.  absol. with from: To detract from, lessen, diminish. Cf. 78 c, 83 k.

1230 1625.  Massinger, New Way, IV. i. [Ne’er] sullied with one taint or spot That may take from your innocence and candour.

1231 1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., Ded. (1709), I. 68. It takes not from you, that you were born with Principles of Generosity and Probity.

1232 1891.  Temple Bar Mag., Oct., 254. It takes greatly from the pleasure.

1233   f.  intr. for pass. (with adv. or advb. phr.) To be capable of being, or adapted to be, taken off, out, to pieces, etc.; to be removable, detachable, etc.

1234   So, by extension, to take in and out = to be capable of being put in and taken out; so to take on and off.

1235 1669.  Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., II. ii. 53. A Brass pair of Compasses … and four Steel Points to take in and out.

1236 1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 227. The Stop-screw, to take out when the Hollow Axis moves in the Moving-Coller.

1237 1881.  Greener, Gun, 78 Guns … so constructed as to take to pieces and stow away in a small compass.

1238 1892.  St. James’ Gaz., 8 Feb., 6/2. Yours [i.e., hair] takes off at night.

1239   59.  in various fig. senses. a. To carry, draw, or lead in thought, etc.; with from, of, to distract.

1240 1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iv. 356. Your heart is full of something, that do’s take Your minde from feasting.

1241 1670.  Cotton, Espernon, II. v. 238. An accident fell out that soon took the Duke off all thoughts of that Solemnity.

1242 1742.  Lond. & Country Brew., I. (ed. 4), 41. These deluded People are taken into an Approbation of indeed an Ignis fatuus.

1243 1890.  Murray’s Mag., VII. 65. Love … took her out of herself, and soothed her sorrows.

1244   † b.  To take (a person) with one: to speak so that (he) can ‘follow’ or apprehend one’s meaning; to enable (him) to understand one; to be explicit. (Usu. in imper.) Obs.

1245 1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., III. v. 142. Soft, take me with you, take me with you, wife.

1246 1695.  Congreve, Love for L., V. ii. Ay, but pray take me along with you, sir.

1247   † c.  To take (a thing) with one: to bear in mind, keep in remembrance, take note of. Obs.

1248 1599.  Massinger, etc., Old Law, II. ii. Oh! you are too hot, sir; Pray cool yourself, and take September with you.

1249 1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit., 715. Yet take here with you, that which William Newbrigensis … writeth.

1250 1746.  Chesterf., Lett. (1792), I. 295. Take this along with you that the worst authors are always most partial to their own works.

1251 1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, v. Take it with you that I will never listen to them.

1252   † d.  To render, translate. Obs. rare.

1253 c. 1430.  Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 25. A clerk itt in to latyn tooke Att hertford out of a booke.

1254   e.  To bring or convey to a higher or lower degree; to raise or lower; to advance or put back. See also take down, 80; PEG sb.1 3.

1255 1589–.  [see PEG sb.1 3].

1256 1890.  Field, 24 May, 750/3. By steady play the score was taken to 18.

1257 1913.  F. Horton, in Proc. Roy. Soc., LXXXVIII. 28 Nov., 132. The temperature was taken to a bright red heat to make sure that the salt was firmly attached to the platinum before the anode was placed in position in the apparatus.

1258   **  To deliver, give, commit, give up.

1259   † 60.  trans. To deliver, hand over; to give; to give in charge, commit, entrust. (= BETAKE 1, 1 b, 2.) Const. to or dative. Obs.

1260   [In Layamon, in the early version rarely (2 instances), but in the later very commonly (22 instances), bitake is used as equivalent to bitæche, biteche (BETEACH, to deliver); in 19 cases biteche of the earlier text becomes bitake in the later. In 4 cases the later version has in the same sense the simple take; this became from 1300 to 1530 quite established, and continued in some writers to c. 1560. This use was not in Norse, and is absent from northern ME. For the history see BETAKE v.]

1261 c. 1275.  Lay., 54. He … wrot … And þane hilke boc tock us to bisne. Ibid., 3361. And takeþ [c. 1205 bitachet] hit his child. Ibid., 22378. And ich wolle … To hostage take þe mine sone [c. 1205 biteche þe mine þreo sunen].

1262 c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg, I. 99/254. To Ihesu crist ich habbe al-so al min heorte i-take.

1263 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2027. Some sede þat him betere were take is neueu conan Þe kinedom of þis lond.

1264 1340.  Ayenb., 171. Þe castel of his herte and of his bodye þet god him heþ ytake to loki.

1265 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XV. 575. Owre lorde wrote it hym-selue In stone…. And toke it moyses to teche men til Messye com.

1266 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), II. 323. Moyses … took his wif [uxori tradidit] þe ryng of forȝetnesse.

1267 c. 1400.  Prymer (1894), 78. We biseche þee þat þe soule of þi seruaunt … be not take in-to þe hondis of oure enemy.

1268 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 15411 (Trin.). In to ȝoure hondes I shal him take [earlier MSS. teche].

1269 1436.  Lett., in Burton & Raine, Hemingbrough, 393. I writte no more … at this tyme, so I tak ȝow to þe Holy Trinite.

1270 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 485/2. Takyn, or delyueryn a thynge to a-nother, trado.

1271 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., xlvi. 183 (Add. MS.). Take me the Ryng, and I shalle kepe it as my lyf.

1272 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxvi. 226. Al that ye take me to kepe shalbe sauely kept to your behoue.

1273 1533.  More, Answ. Poysoned Bk., Wks. 1063/1. When he tooke them the bread and bode them eate it.

1274 a. 1553.  Udall, Royster D., I. v. (Arb.), 31. Who tooke thee thys letter?

1275   † 61.  refl. a. To commit or devote oneself (to God, to Christ, etc.); also, to commit or betake oneself to one’s legs, heels, weapons, or other means of protection or safety. Obs. exc. as in b.

1276 c. 1200.  Ormin, 356. Aȝȝ fra þatt Adam Godd forrlet & toc himm to þe deofell.

1277 c. 1220.  Bestiary, 98, in O. E. Misc., 4. He … forsaket ðore satanas,… Takeð him to ihesu crist.

1278 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 23046. Þat al þis werld welth for-sok, And anerli to godd þam tok.

1279 c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 938. I will forsaik Mahoun, and tak me to his micht.

1280 1530.  Palsgr., 749/1. I take me to my legges, I flye a waye.

1281 1548.  [see HEEL sb.1 19].

1282 1606.  G. W[oodcocke], Hist. Ivstine, VIII. 38. Which people perceiuing them selues entrapped … fearefully tooke them to their weapons.

1283 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 19. The Gyants … took them to their heels and so were overcome.

1284   b.  refl. To devote or give oneself up; to betake or apply oneself to (some pursuit, action, or object).

1285 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4032. Þir breþer tuain þam tok to red To dele þair landes þam bi-tuixs. Ibid. (c. 1425), 13439 (Trin.). Of wif forsoke he hondbonde And toke [earlier MSS. turned] him to þe better honde.

1286 c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 350. He lefte all his gude and tuke hym to pouertie.

1287 1530.  Palsgr., 749/1. I take me to relygyon, or any other Kynde of Lyvynge wherein I must contynue.

1288 1570.  T. Wilson, trans. Demosthenes’ Olynth., Epist. *j b. Such are contented … to weare our Countrie cloth, and to take themselues to hard fare.

1289 1576.  Gascoigne, Steel Gl. (Arb.), 67. Art thou a craftsman? take thee to thine arte.

1290 1707.  Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 296. One of these Leaves … took it self to walking as soon as he touch’d it.

1291 1888.  Sophie Veitch, Dean’s Daughter, I. viii. 155. I … took myself to the Chase.

1292 1890.  E. L. Arnold, Phra, v. She would not eat and would not speak, and at last took her to crying.

1293   c.  intr. with into: To give oneself up to: = take to, 74 e. rare.

1294 1756.  J. Clubbe, Misc. Tracts (1770), I. 105. Men had better read but few books at large, than take into this short and fallacious method of attaining … imperfect knowledge. Ibid. (1765), II. 10. Some men taking into life of pleasure, others into an easy chair of sleep and indolence.

1295 1864.  Carlyle, Fredk. Gr., XV. vi. (1872), VI. 25. Taking deeply into tobacco.

1296   ***  To set oneself, begin, to apply oneself.

1297   62.  intr. with inf. To set oneself, to begin (to do something). [After ON. taka at, e.g., taka at ganga to begin to go.] Obs.

1298 1154.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1135. Dauid king of Scotland toc to uerrien him.

1299 c. 1200.  Ormin, 223. [Zacariȝe] toc to becnenn till þe follc. Ibid., 4772. Swa … þatt hiss bodiȝ toc To rotenn bufenn eorþe. Ibid., 8332. Off þa fowwre riche menn Þatt tokenn þa to rixlenn.

1300 c. 1320.  Sir Tristr., 1000. Now haþ tristrem y-tan Oȝain moraunt to fiȝt.

1301   b.  In later use, To apply oneself to a habitual action (cf. 61 b and 74 e).

1302 1677.  Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 157. Since the Welsh took to break up their Mountains, and sow them with Corn, they have Corn sufficient for themselves.

1303 1839.  Times, 5 Oct. He took to cultivate his genius by reading political economy.

1304 1856.  Freeman, in W. R. W. Stephens, Life (1895), I. iv. 232. I have taken to write a little in a penny paper called the Star.

1305 1890.  Blackw. Mag., CXLVII. 262/2. Their taking to smoke tobacco.

1306 1891.  G. Meredith, One of our Conq., III. xi. 233. She has taken to like him.

1307 1895.  A. B. Paterson, The Man from Snowy River, etc. 30, Conroy’s Gap.        And took to drink, and by some good chance   Was killed—thrown out of a stolen trap.

1308   † c.  refl. in same senses. Obs. rare.

1309 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, i. 54. The duke Beues toke hym selfe for to wepe strongly.

1310 1605.  Verstegan, Dec. Intell., vi. (1628), 165. They tooke themselues first to rob vpon the sea coastes.

1311 a. 1677.  Barrow, Serm., Wks. 1716, II. 63. A state … which they took themselves peculiarly to enjoy.

1312   ****  To take one’s course, to go.

1313   63.  intr. To make one’s way, go, proceed; = NIM v. 2, FANG v. 7. In early use chiefly with to; in later use with any prep. or adv. of direction: usually implying prompt action, cf. ‘start,’ ‘strike.’

1314   See also take to, 74 b; take away, 78 d, take back, 79 c, take in, 82 p, take off, 83 n.

1315 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1751. He toc, and wente, and folwede on.

1316 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 13566. So harde þe parties to-gidere tok.

1317 13[?].  St. Erkenwolde, 57, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 267. Quen tithynges tokene to þe tone [= town].

1318 13[?].  Cast. Love, 1686. In good tyme the[i] were i-bore, That to that feste mowe takyn [F. peuent venir].

1319 a. 1400.  Gosp. Nicod., 1122 (Cott. Galba). On þe morn furth gan þai pas, to þaire iorne þai ta.

1320 c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 598. A lytyl whyll before the day, He toke into a Ryde Wey.

1321 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, ix. 224. Whan they were all mounted, they toke on theyr way.

1322 1606.  G. W[oodcocke], Hist. Iustine, III. 19. They tooke on their way to seeke a new place of habitation.

1323 1615.  G. Sandys, Trav., 193. Turning backe, we tooke vp the said streete to the West.

1324 1622.  Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., II. 282. They tooke downe through a groue of Alder trees.

1325 c. 1645.  T. Tully, Siege of Carlisle (1840), 5. Most of the fugatives took streight for Carlisle.

1326 1707.  Freind, Peterborow’s Cond. Sp., 221. My Lord took along the edge of the Hills.

1327 1801.  trans. Gabrielli’s Myst. Husb., III. 74. I took across some fields for the nearest way.

1328 1863.  W. C. Baldwin, Afr. Hunting, vi. 212. He [the elephant] gave chase, and I took up the hill.

1329 1892.  Mrs. E. Stewart, in A. E. Lee, Hist. Columbus, Ohio, I. 264. A gang of wolves took after her.

1330 1910.  S. P. Hyatt., Law of the Bolo, xii. 271. May she always be as dear to you, Senor, as Dolores Lasara, for whose sake I took to the hills, and whom I hope to rejoin very soon, was to me.

1331   b.  intr. Of a road, a river, etc.: To proceed, go, run, strike off (in some direction). Obs. or dial.

1332 1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 731. Where it [the high road] taketh Northward, it leadeth by Caldwell and Aldburgh.

1333 1865.  Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., XVIII. ii. (1872), VII. 110. [The river] Moldau … takes straight to northward again.

1334 1894.  Crockett, Raiders, 175. At this point the drove-road took over the Folds Hill.

1335 1914.  D. W. Roberts, Rangers & Sovereignty, 137. The trail took down the old Fort Clark road.

1336   c.  refl. In same sense as a; also = to betake oneself, repair, resort to. See also take off, 83 c.

1337 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, I. viii. 45. He took hym to a strong towre with v c good men with hym.

1338 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xvi. 385. After all thyse wordes, they toke theym selfe on their waye.

1339 1822.  Byron, Werner, I. i. 600. He will take himself to bed.

1340 1865.  Trollope, Belton Est., xxx. I am to pack up, bag and baggage, and take myself elsewhere.

1341 1899.  Punch, CXVII. 18 Oct., 181. As you belong to another Pack, I’ll thank you to take yourself Home!

1342   X.  In idiomatic phrases with special obj.

1343   64.  Take aim. To direct a missile at something with intention to strike it; to aim.

1344 1590.  [see AIM sb. 3].

1345 1697.  Dryden, Æneid, X. 479. The Sabine Clausus came, And, from afar, at Dryops took his aim.

1346 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. iv. 92. He took a sure aim.

1347 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 546/1. He was in the act of taking aim with a carbine.

1348   65.  Take alarm. To accept and act upon a warning of danger; hence, to become alarmed or roused to a sense of danger.

1349 1624, 1772.  [see ALARM sb. 8].

1350 1689.  T. R., View Govt. Europe, 38. The people took the Alarm, and clamour’d for a Parliament.

1351 1825.  New Monthly Mag., XIII. 398. His amour propre takes the alarm.

1352 1893.  Nat. Observer, 7 Oct., 535/2. The pirate took the alarm in time.

1353   66.  Take charge. To assume the care or custody of; to make oneself responsible.

1354 1389.  [see CHARGE sb. 13].

1355 1495.  Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 22 § 1. A maister Ship Carpenter taking the charge of the werke.

1356 1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., I. iv. 20. Place you that side, Ile take the charge of this.

1357 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xli. The Baronet promised to take charge of the lad at school.

1358   † 67.  Take day. To appoint or fix a day for the transaction of some business; to make an appointment; to put off to another day. Also fig.

1359 a. 1400.  Octouian, 1499. They … toke day at the monthys ende of playn batayle.

1360 c. 1477.  Caxton, Jason, 123. She accorded to her this request and toke daye for to do hit.

1361 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xxxii. 46. Then they toke day to come agayn a thre wekes after the Feast of saynt John.

1362 1565.  Stapleton, trans. Bede’s Hist. Ch. Eng., 171. To make quick confession of their sinfull actes and not to take dayes with God.

1363 1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., II. xix.* 126. He had rather disburse his life at the present, then to take day, to fall into the hands of such remorslesse creditours.

1364   68.  Take fire. a. lit. To become kindled or ignited; to begin to burn, to kindle, ignite: = catch fire (CATCH v. 44).

1365 1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 263 b. At the last they take fyre & brenne.

1366 1590.  Sir J. Smyth, Disc. Weapons, 21. Through the moystnes of the weather … the powder will take no fire.

1367 1669.  Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., V. 89. Dip therein one end of your short Pieces, least they take Fire at both ends together.

1368 1771.  Smollett, Humph. Cl., 4 July. The soot took fire.

1369 1852.  Emily Dickinson, Lett. to W. A. Dickinson, 23 July, in Life & Letters (1924). 178. Mr. Palmer’s barn took fire, and Deacon Leland’s also, but were extinguished with only part burned roofs.

1370 1885.  Cent. Mag., XXIX. 874/1. These … chimneys … often took fire.

1371   b.  fig. To become ‘inflamed’ with some emotion or the like; to become excited, esp. with anger; to become enraged, to ‘fire up.’

1372 1607.  G. Wilkins, Mis. Inforced Marr., I., in Hazl., Dodsley, IX. 473. On which tinder he soon takes fire, and swears you are the man.

1373 1608.  Merry Devil of Edmonton, ibid., X. 239. How this jest takes fire.

1374 1761.  Hume, Hist. Eng., III. liv. 171. The Commons took fire, and voted it a breach of privilege.

1375 1844.  Thirlwall, Greece, VIII. lxii. 177. Cleomenes took fire at the affront.

1376 1890.  Temple Bar Mag., June, 17. Lithgow’s soul took fire with sympathy.

1377 1919.  Dora Sigerson Shorter, Seven Dead Men, etc. 26, A Catholic to His Ulster Brother, 7.        But Ulster lost with each green sod still crying For those dear dead who left us dreams undying Of Ireland’s needs, O’Neill whose heart took fire And joined the sacred flames of Hugh Maguire.

1378   69.  Take hold. a. To get something by one’s own act into one’s (physical) hold; to grasp, seize: = catch hold (CATCH v. 45), lay hold (LAY v. 22). Const. of; on, upon (arch.). Also said of things.

1379 1530.  Palsgr., 748/2. I take holde apon one, jempoygne.

1380 1611.  Vestry Bks. (Surtees), 161. To picke forth the ould lyme and morter that the new might better take hold.

1381 1613.  Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 19. [The Indian] Figge-tree … whose branches … doe bend themselves downewards to the earth, where they take holde, and with new rooting multiply.

1382 1754.  Shebbeare, Matrimony (1766), II. 193. [She] fell on her Knees … taking hold on the Skirt of his Coat.

1383 1816.  [see HOLD sb.1 2].

1384   b.  fig. To get a person or thing into its (or one’s) ‘hold’ or power; usually with of (on, upon arch.); of a feeling, a disease, etc.: to seize and affect forcibly and more or less permanently; of fire, to ‘lay hold’ of (something), begin to burn. Also, to seize, avail oneself of (an opportunity).

1385 1577.  Harrison, England, II. vi. (1877), I. 164. A thing latelie sproong vp, when pampering of the bellie began to take hold.

1386 1605.  Shaks., Lear, IV. vi. 238. Hence, Least that th’infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee.

1387 1708.  J. C., Compl. Collier (1845), 23. Another dangerous sort of bad Air, but of a fiery Nature like Lightning,… if it takes hold of the Candle.

1388 1725.  N. Robinson, Th. Physick, 292. When the Disease has taken any Hold of the Patient.

1389 1729.  R. Erskine, Wks. (1795), III. Serm. LIV. 483. Christ spake many good words to her; but the first thing that took hold of her heart and catched her, was this, He told me all things that ever I did.

1390 1889.  M. Gray, Reproach Annesley, III. vi. A sense of her bitter bereaval took hold of her.

1391   c.  (with of) To take possession and management of, take under one’s control. ? U.S.

1392 1877.  Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 222. They … know that a company of moneyed men taking hold of their camp will have to spend a considerable amount of money before they can expect to recoup their investment.

1393 1897.  Kipling, Captains Courageous, ix. No, I only capt—took hold of the ‘Blue M.’ freighters—Morgan and M’Quade’s old line—this summer.

1394 1911.  H. G. Pearson, J. M. Forbes, ii. 55. He [Forbes] took hold of the company which, with Brooks as constructor, built the ‘Soo’ canal.

1395   † d.  To attach itself, take root. Obs. rare–1.

1396 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 9350. It tok neuer in þer hertes hald. 13[?] Ibid., 10009 (Gött.). Þat er four vertus principalys,… All oþer vertus of þaim tas [Cott. has] hald.

1397   e.  To apply oneself to action; to set to; to take an active part, dial. and U.S.

1398 1868.  Atkinson, Cleveland Gloss., Tak’ hold, to undertake; an office, or specified performance or duty.

1399 1870.  Miss Alcott, Old fashioned Girl, xi. I’m in despair, and shall have to take hold myself, I’m afraid.

1400 1888.  Bryce, Amer. Commw., III. IV. lxxxvi. 153. To believe that things will come out right whether he ‘takes hold’ himself or not.

1401   70.  Take horse. a. To mount a horse; to get on horseback (esp. for a journey): see sense 24. c.

1402 [c. 1450.  Brut (E.E.T.S.), 450. On þe morow he toke hys hors and rode to Wyndysore vn-to our Kyng.

1403 c. 1475.  Harl. Contin. Higden (Rolls), VIII. 544. He toke his hors with a pryvy meyney.

1404 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, vii. 18. After masse [they] toke theyr horsses.]

1405 1675.  Brooks, Gold. Key, Wks. 1867, V. 10. Bajazet,… Tamerlane took prisoner,… and used him for a footstool when he took horse.

1406 1743.  Wesley, Jrnl. (1749), 9. Just as I was taking horse, he return’d.

1407 1889.  Univ. Rev., Oct., 263. The princes … took horse and fled.

1408   b.  Mining. (See quot.) local.

1409 1855.  J. R. Leifchild, Cornwall Mines, 88. When a lode divides into branches, the miners say it has taken horse.

1410   c.  Of a mare: see sense 39 b, and HORSE sb. 1 c.

1411 1577.  B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., III. (1586), 118. The Mare will not take the Horse.

1412 1688.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2378/4. A brown bay Filly,… being locked from taking Horse.

1413   71.  Take possession. a. To get something by one’s own act into one’s possession; to enter into possession. With of: to take into one’s possession, make oneself possessor of, take for one’s own, appropriate: see POSSESSION sb. 1 c.

1414 1535.  Coverdale, 1 Kings xxi. 15. Vp, and take possession of the vynyarde of Naboth the Iesraelite.

1415 1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., V. iv. 130. Take but possession of her, with a Touch.

1416 a. 1641.  Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon., i. (1642), 21. They entred upon, and took possession of the Land of Promise.

1417 17[?].  Rem. Reign Will. III., in Harl. Misc. (1809), III. 359. The troops … would, in all likelihood, have took possession of White-hall.

1418 1852.  Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xxxiv. Then he came, the cursed wretch! he came to take possession.

1419   b.  fig. (with of) To begin to ‘possess,’ dominate, or actuate: cf. POSSESSION sb. 5, 6.

1420 1595.  Shaks., John, IV. i. 32. His words do take possession of my bosome.

1421 1835.  Poe, Loss of Breath, Wks. 1864, IV. 303. A thousand vague and lachrymatory fancies took possession of my soul—and even the idea of suicide flitted across my brain.

1422 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. II. 63. Another fatal delusion had taken possession of his mind.

1423   72.  In many other phrases, as to take ACCOUNT, ACQUAINTANCE, ARMS, BREATH, the CAKE, one’s CHANCE, the CHANGE out of, CHRISTENDOM, COUNT, one’s CROSS, EFFECT, END, FLIGHT, FORCE, HEAD, HEELS, the INITIATIVE, KNOWLEDGE, the LAW, the LEAD, LEAVE, ORDER, RECORD, RISE, ROOT, SHARE, STOCK, WITNESS, etc., for which see the sbs. (See also 91.)

1424   XI.  Intransitive uses in idiomatic combination with prepositions.

1425   73.  Take after —. A. To follow the example of; to imitate; hence, to resemble (a parent, ancestor, predecessor, superior, etc.) in nature, character, habits, appearance, or other quality.

1426 1553.  T. Wilson, Rhet. (1580), 112. If the Nurse be of a noughtie nature, the childe must take thereafter.

1427 1657.  Heylin, Ecclesia Vind., Gen. Pref.. His Followers all take after him in this particular.

1428 1678.  Phillips (ed. 4), s.v. Imitatives, Patrissare, to take after the Father, or imitate his actions, humor, or fashion.

1429 1883.  Christian Herald, VI. 25 Jan., 63/3. Whose whole life speaks a nature contrary to that of other men, whose aspirations, whose tastes, whose tendencies, all take after Jesus.

1430 1892.  Gd. Words, Nov., 784/2. I take after my mother’s family.

1431 1912.  B. Matthews Vistas of New York, 48. If you take after your father, you ought to be able to look things in the face.

1432   † b.  ? To conceive a desire for or inclination to.

1433 1707.  Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 6. Men take strangely after this their first Imployment.

1434   Take against —, take for — (= take part against, with): see 20 b.

1435   74.  Take to — (See also 62, 63.)

1436   a.  To undertake, take in hand; to take charge of, undertake the care of. Obs. exc. dial.

1437   [Tóc tó þe ríce in quot. 1154 is the equivalent of the earlier feng tó (þam) ríce of the Chronicle: cf. anno 488, Her Esc feng to rice; 1066 Her forðferde Eaduuard king, and Harold eorl feng to ðam rice. Cf. also 62 with inf.]

1438 1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1140 (MS. E). & te eorl of Angæu wærd ded, & his sune Henri toc to þe rice.

1439 c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 5. He wile carien for hire þat ha haueð itaken to of al þat hire biheoueð.

1440 c. 1375.  Cursor M., 5639 (Fairf.). Þis wommon bleþely toke þer-to [to þe childe; Cott. & Gött. it vnderfang] & fedde hit.

1441 c. 1430.  Freemasonry, 120. That the mayster take to no prentysse, But he have good seuerans to dwelle Seven ȝer with hym.

1442 1863.  Kingsley, Water-Bab., v. 199. All the little children whom the good fairies take to, because their cruel mothers and fathers will not. (See Eng. Dial. Dict., s.v.)

1443   b.  To betake oneself to, have recourse to (esp. some means of progression, as in take to the boats, take to flight, take to wing, to one’s heels (HEEL sb.1 19); also (now dial.) to some resource or means of subsistence).

1444   (The intr. use here and in c comes close in sense to the refl. use in 61 a, 63 c, and the trans. in 24 c, 25 a.)

1445 c. 1205.  Lay., 23688. He hit wende Þat Arður hit wolde forsaken And nawiht to þan fehte taken.

1446 c. 1400.  Melayne, 1148. At þe laste þay tuke to flyinge.

1447 a. 1450.  Le Morte Arthur, 1380. Madame, how may thou to us take?

1448 1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., IV. i. 42. Haue you any thing to take to? Val. Nothing but my fortune.

1449 1596.  Danett, trans. Comines (1614), 32. The King tooke to barge and returned to Paris.

1450 1693.  J. Dryden, jun., Juvenal, xiv. 98. The callow Storks … soon as e’er to Wing they take, At sight those Animals for Food pursue.

1451 1708.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4453/2. They took to their Oars, and got from us.

1452 1761.  Hume, Hist. Eng., II. xxvii. 130. They immediately took to flight.

1453 1786.  trans. Beckford’s Vathek (1883), 121. They all without ceremony took to their heels.

1454 1873.  Holland, A. Bonnic., i. 19. I should have alighted and taken to my feet.

1455   c.  To betake oneself to (a place); to repair, resort, or retire to; to take refuge in; to enter.

1456 c. 1275.  Lay., 7976. He droh to on oþe[r] half and tock to herboreȝe.

1457 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 2832 (Trin.). No dwellyng here þat ȝe make Til ȝe þe ȝondir feld to take.

1458 1707.  Freind, Peterborow’s Cond. Sp., 211. Take to the Mountains on the right.

1459 a. 1851.  Moir, Bass Rock, iii. The rabbit … Took to its hole under the hawthorn’s root.

1460 1879.  Miss Yonge, Cameos, Ser. IV. ix. 110. He took to his bed and there lay almost without speaking. [Cf. 25, and BED 6 c.]

1461 1922.  Francis Brett Young, Seascape, 18, in Best Poems of 1922, 106.        What did he look like? No one ever saw him: Took to his bunk, and drank and drank and died.

1462   † d.  To attach oneself to, become an adherent of; to direct itself to. Obs. (Also with till, unto.)

1463 c. 1205.  Layamon, 29188. Crist seolue he for-soc and to þan wursen he tohc.

1464 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 96. Þe maistres of þe portes for gyftes tille him toke.

1465 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 17533 (Trin.). Raþer shulde þei to vs take, Þen to ihesu for oure sake.

1466 1625.  Bacon, Ess., Goodness (Arb.), 201. If it [goodness] issue not towards Men, it will take vnto Other Liuing Creatures.

1467   e.  To devote or apply oneself to; to adopt or take up as a practice, business, habit, or something habitual: cf. 61 b, c. See also ROAD sb. 5 b.

1468 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14114. O mani thing sco [Mary] tok til an, Wit-vten quam es beute nan.

1469 1382.  Wyclif, Gen. xxxviii. 14. The which, the clothis of widewhed don down, toke to [Vulg. assumpsit] a roket.

1470 c. 1430.  Freemasonry, 462. Aȝayn to the craft they schul never take.

1471 1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 692. Clothing (a trade which they tooke to).

1472 1707.  J. Stevens, trans. Quevedo’s Com. Wks. (1709), 319. If you take to Begging, I will take to give nothing.

1473 1834.  Lytton, Pilgr. Rhine, vi. He has since taken to drinking.

1474 1843.  Fraser’s Mag., XXVIII. 203. She … took to wearing caps.

1475 1845.  Ford, Handbk. Spain, I. 199. In Madrid … the men have taken to … Parisian paletots.

1476 1887.  [see DRINK sb. 3].

1477 1893.  Scribner’s Mag., Aug., 227/2. She has taken to society as a duck takes to water.

1478   f.  To apply oneself (well, kindly); to adapt oneself: leading to sense g.

1479 c. 1375.  Cursor M., 8436 (Fairf.). Þen was þis childe sette to boke; Ful wele I wis þer-to [Cott. þar-wit] he toke.

1480 1625.  Bacon, Ess., Parents & Childr. (Arb.), 277. Thinking they will take best to that, which they haue most Minde to.

1481 1766.  J. W. Baker, in Compl. Farmer, s.v. Turnip, [The bullock] took kindly to the turnips.

1482 1820.  Examiner, No. 637. 413/2. A tree which is late transplanted seldom takes well to the soil.

1483 1866.  Lancet, II. 3 Nov., 501/2. Dr. Mary Walker has taken to her vocation quite seriously. With her it is evidently no mere passing whim.

1484 1885.  in Manch. Weekly Times, 6 June, 5/5. The new members may not take kindly to the work.

1485   g.  To take a liking to, conceive an affection for, (For absolute use: see 50 b.)

1486 1748.  H. Walpole, Corr. (1837), II. 239. I took to him for his resemblance to you.

1487 1796.  Lamb, Lett. to Coleridge, 3 Oct. They, as the saying is, take to her very extraordinarily.

1488 1844.  Lady Fullerton, Ellen Middl. (1884), 23. To use a familiar expression, we took to each other instantaneously.

1489 1885.  Manch. Exam., 22 July, 3/2. When first the idea was suggested, Doré did not take to it.

1490   75.  Take with —. † a. To receive, to accept; = sense 39. [= ON. taka við to receive.] Obs.

1491 1127.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS). Þet landfolk him wið toc.

1492 c. 1200.  Ormin, 104. To ȝarrkenn follc onnȝæness Crist To takenn wiþþ hiss lare. Ibid., 1516. Hu wel he takeþþ aȝȝ wiþþ þa Þatt sekenn Godess are.

1493 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 820. For-þi yett wald he wit him tak. Ibid., 5977. Vr lauerd wil tak na wirscip wiþ Þat man him dos in cursd kyth.

1494 1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 68. The barnis … will nocht tak with the doctryne of the faderis.

1495 1538.  Bale, God’s Promises, in Dodsley, O. Pl. (1780), I. 9. Yet shall they not with hym take.

1496   † b.  To take up with; to have to do with. Obs.

1497 1597.  Bacon, Ess., Followers & Friends (Arb.), 36. It is better to take with the more passable, then with the more able.

1498   c.  To be pleased with, put up with. ? dial. Cf. 50 b; also take up with 90 z (c).

1499 1632.  Rutherford, Lett. (1862), I. 97. The silly stranger, in an uncouth country, must take with a smoky inn and coarse cheer.

1500 1638.  Brathwait, Barnabees Jrnl., II. (1818), 59. Thence to Ridgelay, where a black-smith, Liquor being all hee’d take with, Boused with me.

1501 1825.  Jamieson, s.v. Tak with, ‘How does the laddie like the wark?’ ‘Indeed … he taks unco ill wi’t.’

1502 1844.  Stephens, Bk. Farm., II. 609. In a little time she [a ewe] will take with both [twin lambs].

1503   † d.  To take part with, agree with. Cf. 20 b.

1504 1654.  J. Bramhall, in Ussher’s Lett. (1686), 612. Those of the King’s Party asking some why they took with the Parliament’s side.

1505 1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, xxix. I would MacGillie Chattachan would take [later edd. agree] with me … instead of wasting our best blood against each other.

1506   † e.  To admit, acknowledge, own. Obs.

1507 a. 1653.  Binning, Serm. (1845), 607. Few of you will take with this, that ye seek to be justified by your own works.

1508 1786.  A. Gib, Sacr. Contempl., I. VII. i. 157. A person is therefore brought to see and take with this sin, only when his conviction issues in conversion.

1509   f.  To contract or become affected by; to catch (fire), absorb (water): = 44 b, c (cf. also d). dial.

1510 1822.  Galt, Steam-boat, xvi. 347. The kill took low, and the mill likewise took wi’t,… and nothing was left but the bare wa’s.

1511 1847.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., VIII. II. 380. When it [the flax] begins to ferment, or ‘take with the water,’ the latter becomes turbid and discoloured.

1512   XII.  In combination with adverbs, forming the equivalents of compound verbs, chiefly transitive.

1513   76.  Take aback trans.: see ABACK adv. 3 (lit. and fig.).

1514 1748.  Anson’s Voy., II. vii. 215. We were obliged to ply on and off … and were frequently taken aback.

1515 1796.  in Nicolas, Disp. Nelson (1846), VII. p. xxxix. At 1/4 past 8 taken flat aback with a strong wind and a high sea from the N.E.b.E.

1516 1844.  J. T. Hewlett, Parsons & W., liii. I never saw a man more ‘taken aback’ as the sailors say.

1517 1889.  J. K. Jerome, Three Men in Boat, xvii. Blest if it didn’t quite take me aback.

1518   77.  Take again. a. trans. To resume: see simple senses and AGAIN adv. † b. To withdraw, recall: = take back, 79 b: cf. AGAIN adv. 3. Obs.

1519 1474.  Caxton, Chesse, III. i. (1883), 78. He began to take agayn his vertuous werkis and requyred pardoun and so retourned to god agayn.

1520 1728.  Ramsay, Bob of Dunblane, ii. Lest I grow fickle, And take my word and offer again.

1521   78.  Take away. &. trans. To remove, withdraw, abstract; to remove by death; to subtract: see sense 58 and AWAY adv.

1522 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 297. If þou ta þe light awai.

1523 1388.  Wyclif, Ps. l. 13 [li. 11]. Take thou not awei fro me thin hooli spirit.

1524 1415.  Sir T. Grey, in 43 Dep. Kpr. Rep., 583. A sefenneghte after that Murdok of Fyche was take away.

1525 1477.  Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 75. To cut the vynes & take awey the euil branches theror.

1526 1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., xliv. (Percy Soc.), 215. Do not I, Tyme, take his lyfe away?

1527 1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., IV. xxxiii. 156. To take away or mittigate some of [these laws].

1528 c. 1600.  Timon, III. i. Yee theeues, restore what yee have tane away!

1529 1736.  Lediard, Life Marlborough, I. 131. It pleased God to take away His Majesty.

1530 1886.  Ad. Sergeant, No Saint, ix. It took away his appetite.

1531 1890.  Jrnl. Educ., 1 June, 341/1. Take away 4 cows from 17 cows.

1532 1920.  H. L. Mencken, trans. Nietzsche’s Antichrist, § 39. 113. Take away one idea and put a genuine reality in its place—and the whole of Christianity crumbles to nothingness!

1533   b.  absol. To clear the table after a meal.

1534 c. 1450.  Bk. Curtasye, 820, in Babees Bk., 326. Whenne þay haue wasshen and grace is sayde, Away he takes at a brayde.

1535 1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1775), II. 118. Mon Dieu! said Le Fleur,—and took away.

1536 1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, XI. v. (Rtldg.), 402. The servants … had taken away and left us to ourselves.

1537 1872.  S. Butler, Erewhon, viii. 64. She returned in about an hour to take away.

1538   c.  absol. To detract from: = 58 e, 83 k.

1539 1700.  R. Day, Free Thoughts, etc. 8. The Expectance of Advantage does not take away from the Worth of a virtuous Action.

1540 1875.  Freeman, Venice (1881), 257. The slight touch of Renaissance in some of the capitals … in no sort takes away from the general purity of the style.

1541 1889.  Stevenson, Master of B., iv. This takes away from the merit of your generosity.

1542   d.  intr. To go away, make off: see 63.

1543 1850.  R. G. Cumming, Hunter’s Life S. Afr. (1902), 125/1. They set the dogs after him, when he took away up the river.

1544   79.  Take back. a. trans. To take possession of again, resume: see simple senses and BACK adv.

1545 a. 1771.  Gray, Dante, 68 Take back, what once was yours.

1546 1908.  Daily Chron., 26 Oct., 4/6. Molière never said, ‘I take my goods where I find them,’ but ‘I take back my goods where I find them.’

1547   b.  To withdraw, retract, recall, unsay (a statement, promise, etc.): cf. BACK adv. 7.

1548 1775.  Abigail Adams, in Fam. Lett. (1876), 86. I had … made some complaints of you, but I will take them all back again.

1549 1873.  M. Collins, Squire Silchester, I. ix. 131. I shall take back my yes if you are troublesome.

1550   c.  To carry back in thought to a past time; cf. BACK adv. 4.

1551 1840.  Lady Blessington, Idler in France, III. 128. A mystical appearance that takes one back to the dark ages, when the grotesque was invested with an almost solemn character by the superstitious artists of the olden time.

1552 1889.  Mallock, Enchanted Isl., 251. These churches took me back to the crusaders.

1553 1890.  Temple Bar Mag., May, 43. The boy’s letter has taken me back ten years.

1554   d.  = take aback (fig.): see ABACK adv. 3. ? dial.

1555 a. 1860[?].  Mrs. H. Wood, Ho. Halliwell (1890), II. i. 6. Hester was never so taken back in her life. Ibid., v. 116. She was ‘taken back,’ as the saying runs.

1556   e.  intr. To go back, return. ? Obs. exc. dial.

1557 1674.  N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., To Rdr. Being quite lost in a wilde and a frightful on and on, I e’en took back again where I was.

1558 1889.  Stevenson, Master of B., xi. 284. Having … forgot my presence, he took back to his singing.

1559   80.  Take down. a. trans. To remove from a higher to a lower, or from an upright to a prostrate, position; to lower; to carry down; to cut down, fell (a tree); to pull down (a house, etc.: implying also ‘take to pieces’); to distribute (type).

1560 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11664. ‘Ioseph,’ sco said, ‘fain wald I rest.’… Son he stert and tok hir dun.

1561 c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 1426. I rede we take down sayle & rowe.

1562 1548.  in E. Green, Somerset Chantries (1888), 116. One of theis ij churches maye well be spared and taken downe.

1563 a. 1653.  Binning, Serm. (1845), 425. It taketh down the tabernacle of mortality.

1564 1689.  Baxter, Poetical Fragments (ed. 2), 4, Love Breathing Thanks & Praise, I.        Or the Creator should take down the Sun? Destroy the Earth? or Rivers cease to run?

1565 1700.  N. Covert, Scrivener’s Guide, 6. Shall and will forthwith take down the now Dwelling-house of the said J. F.

1566 1751.  Labelye, Westm. Br., 81. Whilst the Arches were unbuilding and taking down.

1567 1818.  in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), I. 573. Taking down three trees.

1568 1886.  Troy (U.S.) Daily Times, 2 Jan., 1/3. A boat’s crew … was taken down by a whale near the Cape Verde islands.

1569 1909.  R. Renwick, in Marwick, Edinb. Guilds, Pref. 6. The printers, seeing no early prospect of the release of their type…, took it down.

1570   b.  With various implications: (a) to swallow; † (b) to cause (a speaker) to sit down (obs.); (c) in Falconry, to cause (a hawk) to fly down; (d) in a school, to get above (another scholar) in class; so of a boat in a race, to get in front of (another boat); (e) to lead (a lady) down to dinner at a party.

1571 1607.  B. Jonson, Volpone, III. v. I will take down poison, Eat burning coals, do any thing.

1572 1656.  in Burton’s Diary (1828), I. 45. Captain Hatsel was speaking to have the debate put off till Monday, but Colonel Purefoy took him down.

1573 1667.  Fairfax, in Phil. Trans., II. 549. Mr. Morley … was advised by some to take down a spoonfull of good English Honey.

1574 1828.  Sir J. S. Sebright, Observ. Hawking, 36. They are always taken down after having flown unsuccessfully at their game.

1575 1844.  Dickens, Mart. Chuz., xix. I took him down once, six boys, in the arithmetic class.

1576 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, v. Dobbin … was ‘taken down’ continually by little fellows.

1577 1887.  Mrs. J. H. Perks, Heather Hills, II. xviii. 308. A quiet dinner-party, with a nice, sensible man to take you down.

1578   c.  fig. To abase, humble, humiliate, abate the pride or arrogance of. In quot. 1562, ? to rebuke, reprimand.

1579 1562.  Child-Marriages, 112. She had spoken to the said Custance, and taken her downe for the same.

1580 1593.  Peele, Chron. Edw. I., Wks. (Rtldg.), 395. I’ll take you down a button-hole.

1581 1608.  Topsell, Serpents (1658), 755. For revenge, and taking down the pride of this young man.

1582 1656.  Owen, Mortification of Sinne (1668), 129. Labour with this also to take down the pride of thy Heart.

1583 1796.  Mrs. M. Robinson, Angelina, II. 27. He seems to experience … satisfaction, in what he calls taking me down.

1584 1857.  Maurice, Ep. St. John i. 4. Whatever takes down a young man’s conceit must be profitable to him.

1585   d.  To lower, diminish, lessen, abate, reduce; to lower in health or strength, bring low, depress. Now Sc. and north. dial.

1586 1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 209. As for the Females,… Take down their Mettle, keep ’em lean and bare.

1587 1719.  Baynard, Health (ed. 2), 22. By Degrees take down your Heat.

1588 1811.  Self Instructor, 539. Olive colours … are first put in green, and taken down again with soot.

1589 1836–7.  Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph. (1877), I. xviii. 342. Taken down with a bilious fever. [See Eng. Dial. Dict.]

1590   e.  To write down so as to use or preserve (what is said); to take a written report or notes of.

1591 1712.  W. Rogers, Voy., 248. I took down the Names of those that had any.

1592 1793.  Trans. Soc. Arts (ed. 2), V. 121. The precision with which you took down their answers.

1593 1811.  Quar. Rev., VI. Dec., 347. They made him name all his kin to the remotest degree of consanguinity, and carefully took down the list.

1594 1883.  Morfill, Slavonic Lit., iii. 48. These ballads had been taken down about the middle of the eighteenth century.

1595 1885.  C. H. Eden, G. Donnington, I. xii. 240. Reporters would take down the speeches.

1596   81.  Take forth. a. trans. To lead forth, conduct out of a place; to bring forth, take out of a receptacle, produce; fig. to further, advance.

1597 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2693 (Cott.). Abram tok forth his men.

1598 c. 1460.  Battle of Otterburn, xxxvi., in Child, Ballads, III. 297/1. The letters fayre furth hath he tayne.

1599 1530.  Palsgr., 748/1. I take forthe a man, I avaunce hym.

1600 1890.  Besant, Demoniac, xv. When he [Damien] was taken forth to have his flesh wrenched off with red-hot pincers.

1601   † b.  Take forth one’s way: to go forth, set forth (see 25 b); also absol., to proceed. Obs.

1602 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. x. 10. On the iiii. day they toke forth theyr way.

1603 1674.  N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 187. We shall take forth to our last.

1604   † c.  To learn; transf. to teach: = take out, 85 f.

1605 1530.  Palsgr., 748/1. I take forthe, as a childe, or a scoler dothe a newe lesson, je apprens.… Take hym forthe a newe lesson.

1606 1549.  T. Some, Latimer’s 2nd Serm. bef. Edw. VI., To Rdr. (Arb.), 50. The gettynge of goodes and rytches, before thou hast well learned and taken furth of the lesson, of well vsyng the same.

1607 1581.  Savile, Tacitus, Hist., II. lxxxiv. (1591), 102. Taught by ill masters, hee tooke foorth [L. didicit] a bad lesson.

1608   82.  Take in.

1609   * trans. a.  To take, draw, or receive into itself, or into something (see simple senses and IN adv.); to admit, absorb, imbibe; to receive as a tributary; to eat or drink, to swallow; to breathe in, inhale; to take on board (a ship). In quot. 1583 absol. to admit or let in water, to leak.

1610 13[?].  Cursor M., 6066 (Cott.). Siþen sal ilk hus in take A clene he-lambe, wit-vten sake.

1611 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), i. 4. It takes in to him xl. oþer ryuers.

1612 1495.  Trevisa’s Barth. De P. R., XVII. ii. (W. de W.), N j b/2. Full of holys to take in ayre.

1613 1583.  Leg. Bp. St. Androis, Pref. 104, in Sat. P. Ref. (S.T.S.), 350. He lattis his scheip tak in at luife and lie.

1614 1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. x. 12 b. We took in fresh water out of a wel.

1615 1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 547. The River Trent … taking in the River Soure from the field of Leicester.

1616 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 103. The first of these takes in their Nourishment by their external … Absorbent Vessels.

1617 1777.  Hamilton, Wks. (1886), VII. 510. The ships are taking in water and provisions for two months.

1618 1841.  G. P. R. James, Jacquerie, III. x. 206. Pushing from him on either side the men who were supporting him, he drew himself to his full height, and spreading out his shoulders, took in a deep, long breath.

1619 1890.  Chamb. Jrnl., 10 May, 292/1. She took in amazingly little water.

1620 1892.  Harper’s Mag., Sept., 596/2. It … readily takes in and yields moisture.

1621   b.  To receive (money) in payment, subscriptions, etc.; to receive and undertake (work) to be done in one’s own house for pay.

1622 1699.  in Millington’s Sale Catal. Skinner & Hampden Libraries. Subscriptions are taken in by John Hartley, over against Gray’s-Inn in Holborn.

1623 1832.  Examiner, 403/1. She took in washing only for her amusement.

1624 1856.  J. Shaw, Ramble through U.S., etc. xi. 273. Mr. Atkins, after exhibiting fifteen days, only took in hard cash £10.

1625 1881.  R. F. Burton, trans. Camoens’ Lusiad, I. 183. Mrs. Felicia Hemans, whose amiable Muse was often obliged, by the res angusta domi, to take in piece-work.

1626 1889.  Mrs. E. Kennard, Landing Prize, II. xii. 209. We supported our selves … by taking in plain needle-work.

1627 1892.  Idler, June, 547. He was taking in more money than he had ever taken in before.

1628   c.  To subscribe for and receive regularly (a newspaper or periodical): = sense 15 d.

1629 1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 488, ¶ 2. Their Father having refused to take in the Spectator.

1630 1779.  Mackenzie, in Mirror, No. 2, ¶ 3. A coffee-house, where it is … taken in for the use of the customers.

1631 1846.  Mrs. Gore, Débutante, II. x. 224. Did he only take in the Times?—The Times was such a dull paper!

1632 1891.  Blackw. Mag., CL. 704/1. Many of them take in the French paper just as they buy ‘Punch.’

1633   d.  Cards. To take (a card) into one’s hand from the pack.

1634 1748.  Hoyle, Whist (ed. 8), Piquet, iv. § iii. 147. It is great Odds in your Favour that, being elder Hand, you take in one Ace, and ought to play your Game accordingly.

1635 1879.  ‘Cavendish,’ Card Ess., etc., 69. The holder of the ace of trumps ruffed, i.e. he put out four cards and took in the stock.

1636 1891.  Field, 28 Nov., 843/1. If the non-dealer takes in the king, he ought … to lead it.

1637   e.  To lead or conduct into a house, room, etc.

1638 c. 1450.  Cov. Myst., xxvii. (Shaks. Soc.), 268. Take hym in, serys, be the honde.

1639 1876.  Mrs. Forrester, Diana Carew, x. 104. No! he is inviting the girl he took in to dinner.

1640 1893.  Temple Bar Mag., XCVIII. 469. John took Miss Everard in to supper.

1641   f.  To receive or admit as inmate or guest.

1642 1539.  Bible (Great), Matt. xxv. 35. I was herbourlesse, and ye toke me in [Wyclif, herboriden me: Tindale, Geneva, lodged me].

1643 1562.  J. Mountgomery, in Archæologia, XLVII. 231. Hospitalles … then the poore souldior … shoulde be taken yn, cured,… and healed.

1644 1702.  Rowe, Tamerl., IV. i. Why stand thy … Doors still open To take the wretched in?

1645 1802.  W. Hutton, Hist. Roman Wall, 287. I am a single woman; and, to take in a stranger, may give rise to reflection.

1646 1840.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., I. III. 265. Invalid horses are taken in … and treated at the hospital. Ibid. (1849), X. II. 413. No tenant-cottager shall take in any lodger.

1647   † g.  To receive or accept into some relation (e.g., into surrender, or as hostage or ally). Obs.

1648 1602.  Ld. Mountjoy Lett., in Moryson, Itin., II. (1617), 214. By the generall advice of the Counsell I tooke in Turlough mac Henry.

1649 1606.  Marston, Sophonisba, II. i. Her father … on suddain shall take in Revolted Syphax.

1650   † h.  To capture, take prisoner, conquer (in war); to ‘take’ a town. Cf. sense 2. Obs.

1651 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 285. Leo … wente to Seynt Peter … wiþ þe letayne, and was i-take in, and his eyȝen i-put out, and his tonge i-kut of.

1652 1535.  Coverdale, Jer. xlix. 1. Why hath youre kynge then taken Gad in?

1653 1684.  Scanderbeg Rediv., v. 109. His Majesty took in Raskaw, a Considerable place on the Deinster.

1654 1709.  H. Felton, Diss. Classics (1718), 10. Open Places are easily taken in.

1655   i.  To bring into smaller compass, draw in, reduce the extent of, contract, make smaller; to shorten, narrow, or tighten; to furl (a sail).

1656   Take in a reef: to roll or fold up a reef in a sail so as to shorten the sail: see REEF sb.1 1.

1657 c. 1515.  Cocke Lorell’s B., 12. Mayne corfe toke in a refe byforce.

1658 1641.  J. Jackson, True Evang. T., II. 153. But I must contract my selfe, and take in this saile of speech.

1659 a. 1800.  Cowper, Horace, II. Ode X. vi. If fortune fill thy sail … Take half thy canvas in.

1660 1837.  Dickens, Pickw., ix. Strapping a buckle here, and taking in a link there.

1661 1841.  R. H. Dana, Seaman’s Man., ix. [heading]. Making and taking in sail.

1662 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xliii. Sure every one of me frocks must be taken in,—it’s such a skeleton I’m growing.

1663 1889.  Conan Doyle, Micah Clarke, xxvii. 281. I took in one hole of my sword-belt on Monday.

1664 1894.  Edith V. B. Matthews, trans. Halévy’s Parisian Points of View, 114. ‘Take in the waist,’ he would say, ‘add more fringe, spread out the train, enlarge the butterfly,’ etc.

1665 1897.  Outing (U. S.), XXX. 255/1. Take in leaders when about a team’s length from corner; then take in wheelers a bit, off-wheeler more than near—in fact, many only take in off-wheel rein a couple of inches.

1666   j.  To enclose (a piece of land, etc.); to take into possession (a territory, a common), or into cultivation (a waste); to include; to annex.

1667 c. 1539.  in G. J. Aungier, Syon Mon. (1840), 131. To dyche in and take in our comyn.

1668 1633.  G. Herbert, Temple, Sunday, vi. Christ hath took in this piece of ground, And made a garden there.

1669 1697.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 288. Others have a design to take in some Commons near Mosse Lake.

1670 1845.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., VI. II. 301. Numerous waste patches along the sides of wide roads have been taken in.

1671 1893.  Nat. Observ., 5 Aug., 290/2. France is determined to take in all Siam.

1672 1897.  D. Sladen, in Windsor Mag., Jan., 278/1. A new alcove [has been] formed by taking in one of the landings.

1673   k.  To admit into a number or list; to include, comprise, embrace; spec. to include in the consideration, take into account (quot. 1752); to include in a journey or visit (U.S.).

1674 1647.  Hammond, Power of Keys, iii. 23. He hath taken in all the antient Church-writers into his catalogue.

1675 1697.  Dryden, Virg., Life (1721), I. 30. Virgil was a great Mathematician, which, in the Sense of those times, took in Astrology.

1676 1752.  Hume, Ess. & Treat. (1777), I. 106. In the former case, many circumstances must be taken in.

1677 1870.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (ed. 2), I. App. 712. Writers who … did not understand that his jurisdiction took in Kent.

1678 1879.  Lubbock, Addr. Pol. & Educ., iii. 55. Attention will be concentrated on the four subjects taken in.

1679 1883.  Bacon, Dict. Boston, Mass., 359. The out-of-towner who fails to take-in a trip to Taft’s.

1680   l.  To receive into or grasp with the mind; to apprehend, comprehend, understand, realize; to absorb or imbibe mentally, to learn; to conceive.

1681 a. 1677.  Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. i. 12. A created Understanding can never take in the fulness of the Divine Excellencies.

1682 1685.  Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. xiii. 18–19. By not understanding is meant also, Not considering it to take it in.

1683 1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 79, ¶ 5. There is no end of Affection taken in at the Eyes only.

1684 1810.  Lady Granville, Lett. (1894), I. 16. She plays … on the pianoforte, and takes in science kindly from Mr. Smart.

1685 1862.  Chambers’s Jrnl., XVII. 26 July, 50/2. It is well to take in the lesson which lies in these things, even if the progress of rivalry in china is altogether missed.

1686 1877.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (ed. 3), I. App. 731. Writers who do not take in the position of an Earl of the West-Saxons.

1687 1887.  Baring-Gould, Gaverocks, III. li. 140. Sluggish minds … require time to take in new notions.

1688   m.  To comprehend in one view (physical or mental); to perceive at a glance.

1689 1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Eye, In man … the eye is … so ordered, as to take in nearly the hemisphere before it.

1690 1800–24.  Campbell, View St. Leonard’s, 18. The eagle’s vision cannot take it in.

1691 1845.  Ht. Martineau, Dawn Island, ix. 87–8. It was only the comprehensive mind of the old priest which could grasp at once all these details, and take in the prospect opened by the advent of Commerce in his world.

1692 1878.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. 583/2. We … turned our heads from side to side,… the better to take in the full force of the effect.

1693 1880.  M. Wilton, Old Love Is the New, II. vii. 147. Wellington took in with the grasp of his mighty mind the whole of the war to come, and nothing could induce him to risk an engagement.

1694   n.  To believe or accept unquestioningly.

1695 1864.  Spectator, No. 1875. 640. The Undergraduates took it all in and cheered Lord Robert Cecil as their future representative.

1696 1888.  Farjeon, Miser Farebrother, II. xiii. 169. Jeremiah listened and took it all in.

1697   o.  To deceive, cheat, trick, impose upon. colloq.

1698 1740.  trans. De Mouhy’s Fort. Country Maid (1741), I. 132. The Griparts were never taken in yet, and what’s more never will.

1699 1745.  Fielding, True Patriot, No. 9, Wks. 1775, IX. 310. They are fairly taken in, and imposed upon to believe we have … as much money as ever.

1700 1754.  E. Moor, in World, No. 96, III. 234. I am almost of opinion that (in the fashionable phrase) he is ’taking me in.’

1701 1809.  W. Irving, Knickerb., V. iv. (1849), 277. A contest of skill between two powers, which shall overreach and take in the other.

1702 1846.  Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. II. 228/1. Nobody shall ever take me in again to do such an absurd and wicked thing.

1703 1884.  Geo. Denman, in Law Rep., 29 Ch. Div. 473. The Plaintiff has … been taken in and misled.

1704 1900.  S. Gordon, Sons of the Covenant, xviii. 249. ‘Water, water,’ shrieked Mrs. Diamond, thoroughly taken in by the ruse, and for once in a way genuinely alarmed about her husband.

1705   p.  To offer (a subject) for examination.

1706 a. 1890.  Liddon, Life Pusey (1893), I. 20. The poets and historians who, at that time, were taken in by candidates for Classical Honours at Oxford.

1707   **intr. † q.  To go in, ‘put in,’ enter. Obs.

1708 1654.  H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 88. Taking in at a Cooks shop where he supt.

1709 1677.  Johnson, in Ray’s Corr. (1848), 127. Great shoals of salmon, which often take in at the mouths of our rivers.

1710   † r.  Take in with: to take part with, side with, agree with. Obs.

1711 1597–8.  Bacon, Ess., Faction (Arb.), 80. It is commonly seene that men once placed, take in with the contrarie faction to that by which they enter.

1712 1646.  Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Epid., I. vii. (1686), 20. Justinian took in with Hippocrates and reversed the decree.

1713 1647.  N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., I. xxxiv. (1739), 51. Kings doubting to lose their Game, took in with the weaker.

1714 a. 1734.  North, Lives (1826), I. 3. If he had acted in these mens measures, and betraying his master, took in with them.

1715   83.  Take off. *transitive senses.

1716   a.  To remove from the position or condition of being on (with various shades of meaning); to lift off, pull off, cut off, rub off, detach, subtract, deduct: see simple senses and OFF adv.

1717 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14318. He bad … Of þe tumb tak of þe lidd.

1718 1495.  Ledger-bk. A. Halyburton, 40. Som of that sek, the bat of-tan is 17li. 15s. 2.

1719 c. 1530.  H. Rhodes, Bk. Nurture, in Babees Bk., 67. With your Trenchour knyfe take of such fragmentes.

1720 1644.  Winthrop, Hist. New Eng. (1825), II. 199. He took off all her commodities, but not at so good rates as they expected.

1721 1703.  Art & Myst. Vintners, 57. Take off the skim, and beat it together with 6 Eggs.

1722 1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 5, ¶ 8. A Cannon Ball took off his Head.

1723 1780.  Coxe, Russ. Disc., 267. M. Engel … takes off twenty-nine degrees from the longitude of Kamtchatka, as laid down by the Russians.

1724 1852.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XIII. I. 80. Repeated crops of hay are taken off without any return.

1725 Mod.  Isn’t his name on the list? No, it has been taken off.

1726   (b)  spec. To remove from the person, divest oneself, or another, of, doff (a garment, etc.).

1727 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 9070 (Cott.). ‘Tas of,’ he said, ‘mi kinges croun.’ Ibid. (13[?]), 8116 (Gött.). Wiþ þis þe king tok of his gloue.

1728 1485.  Caxton, Chas. Gt., 212. He … took of hys clothes.

1729 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron. Edw. IV., 234. He toke of hys cappe, and made a low and solempne obeysance.

1730 1662.  J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 140. A little Cap like a Callotte … they never take off.

1731 1736.  Lediard, Life Marlborough, III. 422. The Armour was taken off.

1732 1815.  Mrs. M. T. Kemble Smiles & Tears, II. ii. 38. I disguised my voice, never took off my mask, and my dress was so contrived, that I defy my most intimate friend to have recognized me.

1733 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 465/1. She took off her shawl.

1734 1891.  Murray’s Mag., April, 531. He never takes off his boots and spurs.

1735   (c)  To remove or convey (a person) from on shore, from a rock, or from on board ship.

1736 1883.  Buchanan, Love me for Ever, V. ii. 261. He had arranged … to be taken off one night, and to sail with them right away.

1737 1889.  Eng. Illustr. Mag., Dec., 267. I might be able to support life on board of her until the Ruby took me off.

1738 1890.  Standard, 12 Dec., 5/7. The passengers were taken off and landed safely.

1739   (d)  absol. To clear the table after a meal: = take away, 78 b. (e) intr. for pass.: see sense 58 f.

1740 1828.  J. T. Smith, Nollekens, I. 91. Nor do I think wine was even mentioned until the servants were ordered to ‘take off.’

1741   b.  trans. To drink to the bottom, or at one draught; to drink off, ‘toss off.’

1742 1613.  Purchas, Pilgrimage, III. xv. 271. She dranke to him a cup of poysoned liquor: and hauing taken off almost halfe, she reached him the rest.

1743 1662.  J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 83. Many Muscovian women took off their Cups as smartly as they [their husbands] did.

1744 1724.  Ramsay, Steer her up, etc. ii. See that shining glass of claret … Take it aff, and let’s have mair o’t.

1745 1797.  Dibdin’s museum, 50, A Sup of Good Whiskey.                There each jovial fellow         Will drink till he’s mellow, And take off his glass in his turn.

1746 1850.  Hawthorne, Scarlet L., iv. And, that thou mayest live, take off this draught.

1747   c.  To lead away summarily; refl. to go away, take one’s departure, be off.

1748 1838.  Dickens, O. Twist, xxiv. He … took himself off on tiptoe.

1749 1837.  Hood’s Comic Ann., 140, Agricultural Distress, 11.        And who was taken off to jail— And where they brew’d the strongest ale.

1750 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 609/1. The guilty parties had taken themselves off.

1751 1894.  Parry, Stud. Gt. Composers, Schubert, 230. In dread of being taken off as a soldier.

1752 Mod.  He was arrested and taken off to prison. The child was taken off to bed.

1753   d.  To lead away or draw off (in fig. sense); to divert, distract, dissuade; † to free, rid (const. from); † to remove the opposition of by bribery or corruption, to buy off (obs.).

1754 1605.  Shaks., Macb., II. iii. 36. It makes him, and it marres him; it sets him on, and it takes him off.

1755 a. 1626.  Bacon, New Atl. (1900), 24. And hee … in great Courtesie tooke us off, and descended to aske us Questions of our Voyage and Fortunes.

1756 1670.  H. Stubbe, Plus Ultra, 11. This Philosophy … taking us off from the Pedantism of Philology.

1757 1702.  trans. Le Clerc’s Prim. Fathers, 27. Having not undertaken to take them off from this Opinion.

1758 a. 1704.  Compl. Servant-Maid (ed. 7), 58. You must endeavour to take off your Mistress from all the care you can.

1759 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time (1823), I. 467. The chief men that promoted this were taken off (as the word then was for corrupting members).

1760 1890.  Fenn, Double Knot, vii. The conversation took off his attention.

1761   e.  To remove or withdraw from office, or from some position or relation; to dismiss; to withdraw (a coach, train, etc.) from running.

1762 1745.  Ward, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 369. Whom the Emperor had appointed governour … but afterwards … designed to have taken him off.

1763 1768.  J. Byron, Narr. Patagonia (ed. 2), 189. The centinel was taken off, and we were allowed to look about us a little.

1764 1858.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XIX. I. 144. My early calves … I allow to suck the cows for a fortnight, then take them off.

1765 1892.  Field, 28 May, 779/3. The coaches … will be taken off for one or more days.

1766 Mod.  Several trains will be taken off on Bank Holiday.

1767   f.  To remove by death, put to death, kill, ‘carry off,’ cut off: said of a person (esp. an assassin), of disease, devouring animals, etc.

1768 1605.  [see TAKING vbl. sb. 6].

1769 1608.  Shaks., Per., IV. Prol. 14. To take off by treasons knife.

1770 1618.  Bolton, Florus (1636), 224. Himselfe taken off by sudden death.

1771 1683.  Burnet, trans. More’s Utopia, Pref. The hiring of Assassinates to take off Enemies.

1772 1701.  W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, Alex., ii. 487. Diseases … took off very many of them.

1773 1770.  Langhorne, Plutarch (1879), II. 828/2. Ptolemy of Cyprus … took himself off by poison.

1774 1832.  Examiner, 6/2. Up to the 20th of November about thirty people had been taken off by cholera.

1775 1840.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., I. III. 258. The mangold-wurzel was … taken off early by the fly.

1776   g.  To remove (something imposed), esp. so as to relieve those subject to it.

1777 1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., III. ii. 135. Oh God, oh God, that ere this tongue of mine, That layd the Sentence,… should take it off againe.

1778 1660.  Ingelo, Bentiv. & Ur., II. (1682), 147. You think to take off this Inconvenience.

1779 1726.  ‘Philalethes,’ in J. Ker, Mem., p. iii. If he would agree to the taking off the Penal Laws.

1780 1737.  Gentl. Mag., VII. March, 172/1. To give immediate Ease to his Majesty’s Subjects, by taking off some of the Taxes which are most burthensome to the Poor.

1781 1755.  J. Maud, Doctrine of Endless Torments, IV. § i. 338. Some perverse Minds may be apt enough to flatter themselves, that though this Sentence is passed upon them by the Law, it is in a great Measure took off by the Gospel.

1782 1840.  Penny Cycl., XVII. 399/2. The ecclesiastical courts may … take off the penance.

1783 1879.  M. J. Guest, Lect. Hist. Eng., xiv. 127. He pleased the people greatly by taking off a heavy tax.

1784 1889.  M. Gray, Reproach Annesley, III. ii. The three months’ embargo was now taken off.

1785   h.  To remove or do away with (a quality, condition, etc.).

1786 1605.  Shaks., Macb., V. viii. 71. Who … by selfe and violent hands, Tooke off her life. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., V. ii. 2. The heauinesse and guilt within my bosome, Takes off my manhood.

1787 1652.  French, Yorksh. Spa, x. 90. They … should take the water a little warm’d first … the cold being just taken off.

1788 1691.  Conset, Pract. Spir. Crts. (1700), To Rdr. Which thing … may … take off the Edge of Detraction.

1789 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1756), I. 227. One or two Purges will take off the Running at his Mouth.

1790 1885.  Mrs. Lynn Linton, Chr. Kirkland, II. vi. 189. The smartest and prettiest kind of cap … took off the severity of her smoothly braided hair.

1791   † (b)  To do away with, disprove, confute. Obs.

1792 1630.  Prynne, Anti-Armin., 147. I must needs take off two principall daring obiections.

1793 1682.  Creech, trans. Lucretius (1683), Notes, 26. After that I shall take off his exceptions against Providence.

1794 1695.  J. Edwards, Perfect. Script., 478. To take off this seeming argument.

1795   i.  (a) To make or obtain (an impression) from something; to print off. In quot. 1660, to receive as an impression (in fig. sense).

1796 1660.  trans. Amyraldus’ Treat. conc. Relig., III. viii. 489. Those [languages] which live … take off better the impression and graces of the language of the Prophets.

1797 1707.  Hearne, Collect., 24 Jan. (O. H. S.), I. 320. The Stationers were obliged to take off 200 Copies of any Book.

1798 1817.  G. Rose, Diaries (1860), I. 19, note. He had an impression of 500 taken off.

1799 1825.  New Monthly Mag., XV. 234/1. The expedient … of taking off an impression in some soft substance.

1800   (b)  To make (a figure of something); transf. to draw a likeness of, to portray: = sense 33 b.

1801 1705.  Addison, Italy, 321. It would perhaps be no impertinent Design to take off all their Models in Wood, which might not only give us some Notion of the ancient Musick, but help us to pleasanter Instruments than are now in use.

1802 1835–40.  Haliburton, Clockm. (1862), 306. A native artist of great promise … that is come to take us off.

1803 1855.  Thackeray, Newcomes, xliv. Then Clive proposed … to take his head off; and made an excellent likeness in chalk of his uncle.

1804 1890.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 182. A young lady who could take off a horse like that—the dead image of him—could do anything.

1805   (c)  To measure off; to determine or mark the position of: cf. sense 32 c.

1806 1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 97. In this way I took off 35 of the most remarkable points,… These 35 primary points having been determined as above.

1807   j.  To imitate or counterfeit, esp. by way of mockery; to mimic, caricature, burlesque, parody; to make a mock of. colloq.

1808 1750.  Chesterf., Lett. (1792), III. 85. He has since been taken off by a thousand authors: but never really imitated by any one.

1809 1760–72.  H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), II. 120. He so perfectly counterfeited or took off, as they call it, the real Christian, that many looked to see him … taken alive into Heaven.

1810 1789.  Mrs. Piozzi, Journ. France, I. 240. At the hazard of being taken off and held up for a laughing-stock.

1811 1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, II. vii. ¶ 20. I can take off a cat to the life: suppose I was to mew a certain number of times?

1812 a. 1845.  Hood, Faithless Nelly Gray, v. She made him quite a scoff; And when she saw his wooden legs, Began to take them off!

1813 1879.  Minto, Defoe, 40. One of the pamphlets which he professed to take off in his famous squib.

1814   k.  absol. with from: To detract from, diminish, lessen: = 58 e, 78 c.

1815 1701.  W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, 264. This gradual Advancement took off from the Obscurity of his Birth.

1816 1753.  Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v. Sal, A defect or flaw, which took off very much from the value of the gem.

1817 1773.  [J. Richardson], trans. Wieland’s Agathon, Pref. 14. There are many allusions in it to modern customs … which take off in a great measure from the antique cast.

1818   l.  To close the stitches in knitting; to knit off. Also absol.

1819 1849.  Esther Copley, Knitting-bk., 12. By reversing the right hand pin, so inserting it in two stitches, not in front but at the back of the left hand pin, and knitting them off as one. This [way of reducing the number of stitches] is called ‘taking off at the back.’

1820   **intr. m.  To abate, grow less, decrease; (of rain) to cease.

1821 1776.  Cook, in Phil. Trans., LXVI. 447. I judged it was about high water, and that the tides were taking off, or decreasing.

1822 1854.  H. Miller, Sch. & Schm., xxi. (1858), 463. No sooner had it [the hurricane] begun to take off than I set out for the scene of its ravages.

1823 1878.  Stevenson, Inland Voy., 20. The rain took off near Laeken.

1824 1899.  F. T. Bullen, Log Sea-waif, 93. The breeze now began to take off a bit, and more sail was made.

1825   n.  To go off, start off, run away; to branch off from a main stream. (Cf. 63, 63 b.).

1826 c. 1813.  Mrs. Sherwood, Stories Ch. Catech., xiii. (1873), 112. Dick ran out … and took off into the great bazar.

1827 1825.  Waterton, Wand. S. Amer., III. iv. 265. The Indian took off into the woods.

1828 1883.  19th Cent., Jan., 44. The second [headwater of the Hugli] takes off from the Ganges about forty miles eastward from the Bhagirathi.

1829   (b)  To start in leaping; to commence a leap. (Opp. to LAND v. 8 b.)

1830 1814.  Sporting Mag., XLIII. 287. The spot where the horse took off to where he landed, is above eighteen feet.

1831 1889.  Boy’s Own Paper, 7 Sept., 780/3. Competitors should be encouraged to take-off with accuracy.

1832 1892.  Strand Mag., III. 633/2. The last attitude one would imagine a horse to adopt in ‘taking off’ for a jump.

1833   (c)  Croquet. To make a stroke from contact with another ball so as to send one’s own ball nearly or quite in the direction in which the mallet is aimed: cf. TAKE-OFF sb. 4.

1834 1872.  Prior, Notes on Croquet, 48. It were an improvement … to tether a ball in the centre of the ground, which at starting should be hit by the players from a spot in the middle of the left-hand boundary. Taking off from this tethered ball, they might go to any part of the lawn.

1835   84.  Take on. *transitive senses.

1836   a.  See simple senses and ON adv.: in quot. 1877, to take on board (opp. to take off, 83 a [c]).

1837 c. 1579.  Montgomerie, Misc. Poems, xlviii. 140. Tak on your babert luif abuird.

1838 1839.  Ure, Dict. Arts, 258. (Cards, Playing) The ink or colour … is … laid on the types and blocks … and the impressions [are] taken-on to thick drawing paper by means of a suitable press.

1839 1877.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. 14/1. He took on the passengers who stood clustered on the wharf.

1840   (b)  † To pat on, don (clothing, etc.) obs.; to ‘put on’ or add (flesh, etc.): see PUT v. 46 f (a).

1841 1389.  in Eng. Gilds (1870), 56. Þe den xal warn alle þe gylde breþeren þt be in toune, for to takyn on here hodis … and comen to messe.

1842 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxii. 494. Thenne they went, & toke on the beste clothyng that they had.

1843 1583.  Satir. Poems Reform., Life Bp. St. Androis, 1069. On a gray boonet he tackis.

1844 1847.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., VIII. II. 392. Sheep … thrive very well and take on flesh rapidly. Ibid. (1850), XI. II. 600. The animal being thus gradually prepared to take on that increased amount of muscle and fat.

1845   † (c.)  To take up (arms); to arm oneself: see 90 a (c). Sc. Obs.

1846 1565.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 355. Thair rebellis ar planelie conspyrit togidder, takin on arms. Ibid. (1567), 524. Thai have takin on armes to puneis the authouris of the said cruell murthour.

1847   b.  To assume, ‘put on’ (a form, quality, etc.) = sense 16 a: to assume, begin to perform (an action or function) (cf. 17); to contract, begin to be affected by, ‘catch’ (cf. 44 b, c).

1848 1799.  Kentish, in Beddoes, Contrib. Phys. & Med. Knowl., 258. He took on that peevish irritability so unhappy for the individual.

1849 1842.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., III. II. 331. The blanched leaves soon take on the appearance of frost-bitten celery.

1850 1869.  G. Lawson, Dis. Eye (1874), 41. The ulcer … took on a healing action, and soon cicatrized.

1851 1893.  ‘Maxwell Gray,’ Last Sentence, III. III. v. 28. Then the deep, mysterious eyes would take on a deeper charm.

1852   (b)  To adopt (an idea, etc.); to accept mentally.

1853 1890.  Pict. World, 4 Sept., 298/2. That belonged to the days before its author ‘took on religion,’ as the Methodists term it.

1854 1893.  Nat. Observ., 23 Sept., 472/2. He is prepared to throw over all his convictions pretty much as he took them on.

1855   (c)  To apprehend with the senses; to perceive, ‘catch.’ rare.

1856 1827.  D. Johnson, Ind. Field Sports, 45. I have heard the natives assert that they take on the scent of the deer many hours after they have passed.

1857   c.  To take (a person) into one’s employment, or upon one’s staff, to engage (also fig.); to accept in marriage; to receive into fellowship.

1858 1611.  G. Blundell, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), 97. If Holland take any companies on.

1859 1625.  Massinger, New Way, II. iii. I’ll not give her the advantage … To … say she was forced To buy my wedding-clothes, and took me on With a plain riding-suit and an ambling nag.

1860 1826.  Examiner, 631/1. The large manufacturers are about taking on a considerable number of hands.

1861 1893.  J. B. Thompson, in Chicago Advance, 20 July. A number of catechumens were taken on during the year.

1862   d.  To undertake; to begin to handle or deal with, to ‘tackle.’

1863 [c. 1325.  Spec. Gy Warw., 267. Allas! what sholen hij onne take, Þat wolden here her god forsake Þurw sinne of fleschly liking?]

1864 1422.  [see TAKING vbl. sb. 6].

1865 1885.  Graphic, 3 Jan., 11/3. He … so frightened the other … cowards that…. They did not care to ‘take him on.’

1866 1898.  Daily News, 10 March, 7/1. We cannot take on both jobs.

1867 1900.  Sir R. Buller, ibid., 12 Nov., 3/4. I had taken on a task, and I was bound to see it through.

1868   e.  To undertake the management of (a farm, etc.), esp. in succession or continuance.

1869 1861.  Temple Bar Mag., III. 474. When I was twenty-two, my father died, and I took on the farm.

1870 1889.  Mrs. Comyns Carr, Marg. Maliphant, II. xix. 70. I want him to take on another small farm.

1871 1892.  Cornh. Mag., Oct., 346. It will be quite impossible for me to take on the lease again.

1872   † f.  To assert, asseverate (cf. 17 c). Obs. rare.

1873 1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 26. Yet will they sweare, protest, and take on woonderfully, that it is very new, fresh and tender. Ibid., 48. If they sell you a cow … will protest and take on woonderfullie, that hee is but this olde, and that olde.

1874   g.  To buy on credit. Sc.

1875 1808.  Jamieson, To tak on, to buy on credit, to buy to accompt.

1876 1866.  J. H. Wilson, Our Father in Heaven (1869), 180. I have heard of young people … going to shops and ‘taking on’ things, as it is called.

1877   † h.  To begin, commence (with inf., or intr.); = sense 62. Obs.

1878 c. 1200.  Ormin, 2553. Ȝho toc onn ful aldeliȝ To fraȝȝnenn Godess enngell. Ibid., 11260. Ȝiff þu takesst onn att an & tellesst forþ till fowwre.

1879   **  intransitive senses.

1880   † i.  To act, proceed, behave, ‘go on.’ Const. dative, to a person. Obs.

1881 c. 1205.  Lay., 3333. Ȝef ferrene kinges hiherde þa tidinde, þe we swa takede him on. Ibid., 5592. Þat word come to Belinne … heo he hauede itaken on. Ibid., 10175. Pa þis wes al idon þa token heo oðer weise on. Ibid., 31619. Whæt Penda king hafueð iseid and hu he wulle taken on.

1882 c. 1305.  Pilate, 149, in E. E. Poems (1862), 115. Ou liþere man,… haþ he itake on so, Assentede he to þe gywes?

1883 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. III. 76. For toke þei on trewely þei timbrede not so hye.

1884 c. 1450.  Lovelich, Grail, lvi. 505. And thus these lyowns Gonnon On to take Til the tyme that Cam Lawncelot de lake.

1885   reflexive.  c. 1205.  Lay., 30680. On alle wissen he toc him on swulc he weore a chepmon.

1886   j.  To ‘go on’ madly or excitedly; to rage, rave; to be greatly agitated; to make a great fuss, outcry, or uproar; now esp. to distress oneself greatly. Now colloq. and dial.

1887 c. 1430.  Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 5200. That yondre knight on the white stede Taketh on as a deuel in dede.

1888 1472.  Paston Lett., III. 57. My modyr wepyth and takyth on mervaylously.

1889 1530.  Palsgr., 750/1. I take on lyke a madde man, je menraige.

1890 1535.  Coverdale, Num. xiv. 1. Then the whole congregacion toke on and cryed, and the people wepte.

1891 1600.  Holland, Livy, II. xxvii. 61. All this while Appius raged and tooke on, inveying bitterly against the nicetie and popularitie of his brother Consul.

1892 1668.  Pepys, Diary, 8 April. Her mother and friends take on mightily.

1893 1767.  Woman of Fashion, I. 157. You’ll make me cry too, if you take on in this Manner.

1894 1830.  Galt, Lawrie T., I. ix. He took on like a demented man.

1895 1852.  Thackeray, Esmond, II. i. She took on sadly about her husband.

1896 1897.  Mrs. C. N. Jackson, Gordon League Ballads, I. 88, That Fellow Jones.        Jim took on something awful. ‘The wretched little rat! To think they should pass me over for a miserable chap like that!’

1897   k.  To assume airs; to behave proudly or haughtily; to presume; to take liberties. (Cf. 18 e.)

1898 1668.  R. Steele, Husbandman’s Calling, vi. (1678), 143. If a worm should take on, lift up itself, and be proud, then anything may be proud.

1899 1851.  Beck’s Florist, 180. ‘Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’ I began to take on; and if the squire gave me any orders, I did not take ’em as I ought to have done.

1900   l.  To take service or employment, to engage oneself; to enlist.

1901 a. 1670.  Spalding, Troub. Chas. I. (1851), II. 335. Diuerss daylie took on [to serve in the army].

1902 1748.  Smollett, Rod. Rand., xvi. If you take on to be a soldier.

1903 1778.  Foote, Trip to Calais, III. Wks. 1799, II. 377. I am engaged to take on with Miss Lydy.

1904 1890.  Lippincott’s Mag., March, 336. At the end of their term of enlistment [they] would refuse to ‘take on’ again in D Troop.

1905 1892.  Field, 7 May, 698/3. ‘Then,’ replied one of the men, ‘I will take on at 4s.’

1906   (b)  With with: to engage oneself to; to begin to associate with, to consort with; = take up with, 90 z; to adopt as a practice, etc.

1907 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 51. Such a Drake has been more used to a Hen when he was young, and … will the sooner take on with her when he grows older.

1908 1844.  Fraser’s Mag., XXX. 104/1. The misthress is going to take on with Mister Jowles the praacher.

1909 1886.  M. Gray, Silence Dean Maitland, i. I liked Charlie Judkins well enough before he took on with this love-nonsense.

1910 1894.  G. Moore, Esther Waters, 154. His young woman must be sadly in want of a sweetheart to take on with one such as him.

1911   m.  To ‘catch on,’ become popular: = sense 10 c. colloq.

1912 1897.  ‘Ouida,’ Massarenes, xvii. He saw how greatly these musical entertainments ‘took on.’

1913   85.  Take out. trans. a. To remove from within a place, receptacle, or inclosure; to extract, withdraw, draw forth: see simple senses and OUT adv.

1914 13[?].  Cursor M., 20564 (Gött). I toke þaim vte on [v.r. with] mi right hand.

1915 1382.  Wyclif, Ps. lxviii. 15 [lxix. 14]. Tac me out fro clei, that I be not inficchid.

1916 c. 1450.  Merlin, i. 1. Whan that oure lorde … had take oute Adam and Eve, and other [from hell].

1917 1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. v. 206. Their stings, and teeth, newly tak’n out.

1918 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 94, ¶ 9. He had only dipped his Head into the Water, and immediately taken it out again.

1919 1889.  F. M. Crawford, Greifenstein, II. xx. 280. Rex took out his purse and gave him a gold piece.

1920 Mod. I asked for the book at the library, but it had been taken out the day before.

1921   (b)  To remove, extract (a stain, etc.).

1922 1727.  Gay, Begg. Op., I. ix. Money … is the true fuller’s earth for reputation, there is not a spot or a stain but what it can take out.

1923 Mod.  Ammonia will take out the grease-spots.

1924   (c)  intr. for pass. See sense 58 f.

1925   b.  trans. To withdraw from a number or set (actually or mentally); to leave out, except, omit.

1926 c. 1200.  Ormin, 8601. Þatt ȝer þatt he wass takenn ut Þurrh Drihhtin Godd fra manne.

1927 c. 1315.  Shoreham, Poems, i. 552. Þaȝ he ne toke iudas out, Þe worste man on erþe.

1928 Mod.  There are 91 festivals in the Prayer Book Calendar; but if you take out those that have no special Collects, there are only 24.

1929   c.  To lead or carry out or forth: with various special implications, as: to lead (a partner) out from the company for a dance; to summon (an opponent) to a duel, to ‘call out’; to lead (a person or animal) into the open air for exercise, etc.

1930 1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., I. iv. 95. I were vnmannerly to take you out, And not to kisse you.

1931 1665.  Pepys, Diary, 13 April. When the company begun to dance, I came away, lest I should be taken out.

1932 1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VII. xiii. When a matter can’t be made up, as in a case of a blow, the sooner you take him out the better.

1933 1811.  Jane Austen, Lett., 29 May. Mrs. Welby takes her out airing in her barouche.

1934 1877.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. 65/1. He had even promised to take her out on the ice.

1935 1893.  J. Ashby Sterry, Naughty Girl, ii. It was awfully good of you to take the children out, Charlie.

1936 Mod.  Take the dog out for a run.

1937   (b)  Cricket. To take out one’s bat: said of a batsman who is ‘not out’ at the end of the innings.

1938 1890.  Standard, 9 May, 3/8. He was batting nearly four hours and eventually took out his bat for 90.

1939 1892.  Sat. Rev., 16 July, 63/2. The captain … took out his bat for 60.

1940   † d.  (a) To give vent to, utter. (b) To announce, give out (a text). Obs.

1941 1678.  Dryden, All for Love, Pref., Ess. (Ker), I. 197. He took out his laughter which he had stifled.

1942 1697.  Burghope, Disc. Relig. Assemb., 6. They will take care to come before the text is taken out.

1943   e.  To make a copy from an original; to copy (a writing, design, etc.); esp. to extract a passage from a writing or book.

1944 1530.  Palsgr., 750/1. I take out a writyng, I coppy a mater of a boke, je copie.

1945 1573.  Art of Limming, 11. A pretie deuise to take out the true forme & proporcion of any letter, knott, flower, Image, or other worke.

1946 1604.  Shaks., Oth., III. iii. 296. I am glad I haue found this Napkin:… Ile haue the worke tane out. Ibid., III. iv. 180. Take me this worke out … I would haue it coppied.

1947 Mod.  To read a book and take out quotations for the dictionary.

1948   (b)  To extract from data.

1949 1881.  Times, 10 Nov., 4/2. The surveyor employed … to take out the quantities on the architect’s plan—that is, to estimate the quantities of materials and labour which will be required to carry out the proposed plans.

1950 1896.  [see QUANTITY 13].

1951   † f.  To learn (a lesson); transf. to teach. (See also 81 c.) Obs.

1952 a. 1591.  H. Smith, Wks. (1866), I. 499. If we be negligent and slack, and never take out his lessons, but stand at a stay.

1953 1629.  Earle, Microcosm., lxv. (Arb.), 89. He hath taken out as many lessons of the world, as dayes.

1954 1642.  Strangling Gt. Turk, etc., in Harl. Misc. (1745), IV. 37. The Discipline of War must take you out other Lessons of Fury.

1955   g.  To apply for and obtain (a licence, patent, summons, or other official document) in due form from the proper authority.

1956 1673.  Essex Papers (Camden), I. 93. Ye vacating their charter, & forcing them to take out a new one.

1957 1687.  Burnet, Cont. Reply to Varillas, 76. The Bishops were obliged to take out new Commissions from the King … for holding their Bishopricks.

1958 1726.  Berkeley, Lett. T. Prior, 27 Jan., Wks. 1871, IV. 123. I have not yet taken out letters of administration.

1959 1840.  Jrnl. Roy. Agric. Soc., I. III. 351. Patents have been recently taken out for supposed improvements.

1960 1892.  Sat. Rev., 30 April, 497/1. [He] took out a summons against him.

1961   h.  To obtain or enjoy completely. ? Obs.

1962 1631.  Mabbe, Celestina, 149. I will goe downe and stand at the doore, that my Master may take out his full sleepe.

1963   i.  To obtain, receive, use up, spend, the value of (something) in another form. Const. in.

1964 1631.  Heywood, Fair Maid of West, Wks. 1874, II. 280. Because of the old proverbe, What they want in meate, let them take out in drinke.

1965 1763.  Foote, Mayor of G., I. Wks. 1799, I. 168. When he frequented our town of a market day, he has taken out a guinea in oaths.

1966 1828.  Examiner, 794/1. [He] has no objection, when a poor tradesman cannot advance the fee, to take it out in goods.

1967 1891.  Review of Rev., 15 Sept., 236/2. The prize was one guinea, which had to be taken out in books.

1968   86.  Take out of. trans. a. To withdraw or remove from within (lit. and fig.); to extract (a stain) from: see simple senses and OUT OF.

1969   To take the words out of one’s mouth: See MOUTH sb. 3 l.

1970 c. 1200.  Ormin, Ded. 209. To tĕkenn ut off helle wa Þa gode sawless alle.

1971 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), II. 133. While he dwellede longe in Fraunce … Chedde was i-take out of his abbay of Lestynge.

1972 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 16442 (Trin.). Pe monsleer þat barabas was take out of prisoun.

1973 1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 660. [He] Out of the erth his deid bodie hes tone.

1974 1659.  in Burton’s Diary (1828), IV. 451. Take heed you take not the thorn out of another’s foot, and put it in your own wholly.

1975 1771.  Mrs. Haywood, New Present for Maid, 246. To take Ink out of Linen.

1976 1882.  Miss Braddon, Mt. Royal, III. iv. 59. He took the cartridges out of the case himself.

1977   b.  To get, derive, or obtain from.

1978 1579.  W. Wilkinson, Confut. Familye of Loue, B iv. Out of their knowledge, whiche they take out of the Scriptures.

1979 1650.  J. French, trans. Paracelsus’ Nat. Things, II. 17. Any flint taken out of River water.

1980 1821.  Scott, Kenilw., i. There were as good spitchcocked eels on the board as ever were ta’en out of the Isis.

1981   c.  To subtract or deduct from. Now rare.

1982 1593.  Fale, Dialling, 14. I take the complement of the Elevation, which is 38d. out of the reclination of the plat which is 55d., and there remain 17d.

1983 1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 127. A setting off of 8 Foot broad and 10 Foot long taking out of the Yard.

1984   d.  To deprive a person or thing of (some quality, etc.); spec. to deprive of (energy or the like); usu. to take it out of, to exhaust, fatigue.

1985 1847.  S. Wilberforce, in Life (1879), I. 402. There is so much of interest in a Confirmation, that it takes a great deal out of one.

1986 1851.  W. G. Clark, Gazpacho, Pref. v. I hope that my preliminary confessions may take the wind out of my critics’ sails.

1987 1858.  Hawthorne, Fr. &. It. Note-Bks., II. 68. Rome … takes the splendor out of all this sort of thing elsewhere.

1988 1884.  H. Smart, Post to Finish, xxxii. Now you say you cannot come, and all the salt is taken out of my holidays.

1989 1890.  Mrs. Laffan, L. Draycott, II. i. The sort of day that takes it out of a man.

1990   e.  To remove from the jurisdiction of; to prove not to come under (a statute).

1991 1885.  Sir C. S. C. Bowen, in Law Rep., 29 Ch. D. 810. The burthen of taking the case out of the Statute of Limitations rests on the Appellant.

1992 1891.  Law Times, XCII. 105/2. All lawyers are familiar with the doctrine of part performance to take a case out of the statute.

1993   f.  To take (something) from a person in compensation: to take it out of, to exact satisfaction from.

1994 1851.  Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 31/2. I take it out of him on the spot. I give him a jolly good hiding.

1995 1888.  McCarthy & Praed, Ladies Gallery, I. iv. 91. What we have to miss in sight-seeing we try to take out of the people in the cars.

1996 1901.  Scotsman, 29 Nov., 8/2. In the olden days the villages ‘took it out’ of each other with club and spear.

1997   87.  Take over. trans. † a. = OVERTAKE 1. Obs.

1998 c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 7163. The paiens token ouer our men, And fast leyd upon hem then.

1999   b.  To take by transfer from, or in succession to another; to assume possession or control of (something) from or after some one else.

2000 1884.  A. Forbes, Chinese Gordon, ii. 36. The army whose command he took over in its headquarters.

2001 1887.  Westall, Capt. Trafalgar, xiv. [He] took service with us when we took over the Eureka.

2002 1890.  ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Suspense, viii. Brenda took over all the smaller household duties.

2003 1891.  Law Reports, Weekly Notes, 43/1. The … company was formed … for the purpose of taking over the business … carried on by the plaintifr.

2004   c.  To carry or convey across, to transport.

2005 Mod.  The ferry-boat will take you over.

2006   88.  Take to. In passive to be taken to = to be taken aback: see 76. dial.

2007 1865.  Mrs. H. Wood, Mildred Arkell, xxxii. Mr. Van Brummel, considerably taken-to at being addressed individually, lost his head completely.

2008 1872.  Argosy, Sept., 183. Mr. T. might possibly have been slightly taken to…, but there was no symptom of it in his voice. [See Eng. Dial. Dict.]

2009   89.  Take together.

2010   a.  trans. See simple senses and TOGETHER.

2011   † b.  To collect: cf. PULL v. 30 b. Obs.

2012 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xix. 429. But he toke togyder his strengthes, & stode vpryghte.

2013   c.  To consider or reckon together (cf. 26 c), or as a whole; to reckon as a group or collection.

2014 1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. iv. § 14. 258. Plato in his Cratylus taking these two words, Ζῆνα and Διά, both together, etymologizeth them as one.

2015 1742.  Richardson, Pamela, IV. 107. Numps, his Son, is a Character, take it all together, quite of Nature and Probability.

2016 Mod.  Taken together, there cannot be more than a dozen.

2017   90.  Take up. *transitive senses.

2018   a.  To lift, raise (from the ground, etc., or from a lying or prostrate position); to pick up; also, to lift or raise (something hanging down) so as to expose what is covered by it. Somewhat arch.

2019 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3064 (Cott.). Drightin has herd þi barn cri, Rise and tak it up for-þi.

2020 1382.  Wyclif, John v. 9. The man is maad hool, and took vp his bed, and wandride.

2021 c. 1420–30.  Prymer (1895). 9. Þi riȝthond took me vp.

2022 1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., II. ii. 164. The Priest let fall the booke, And as he stoop’d againe to take it vp [etc.].

2023 1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 278. The garter … which fell from her as she daunced, and the King tooke up from the floor.

2024 1720.  De Foe, Capt. Singleton, v. (1906), 83. Ten men with poles took up one of the canoes and made nothing to carry it.

2025 1844.  Hood, Bridge of Sighs, 5. Take her up tenderly, Lift her with care.

2026 1890.  Univ. Rev., Feb., 232. Martin … had taken up a stone to throw at him.

2027   (b)  spec. To raise or lift from some settled position, e.g. (plants) out of the ground, (a corpse) out of the grave, (a carpet) from the floor, etc.; to break up the surface of (a field, road, etc.).

2028   † To take up the table: to clear the table after a meal (orig. to remove the board off the trestles: see TABLE sb. 6 b). Obs.

2029 13[?].  Cursor M., 8045 (Cott.). Quen þe king þam [þaa tres] had vp-tan, His ost þam honurd þan ilkan.

2030 15[?].  [see TABLE sb. 6 b].

2031 1513.  More, in Hall, Chron., Rich. III. (1548), 27 b. Some saye that kynge Richard caused the priest to take them vp,… and to put them in a coffyne.

2032 1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. xxi. The table being taken vp, the Ambassador … entred into the pauilion.

2033 1612.  [see TABLE sb. 6 b].

2034 1625.  Massinger, New Way, I. ii. ’Tis not twelve o’clock yet, Nor dinner taking up.

2035 1836–9.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Sentiment. The carpet was taken up.

2036 1841.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., II. II. 229. The turnips were taken up and carted.

2037 1895.  Times, 5 Feb., 8/2. That would mean taking up all the streets in South London.

2038 1902.  trans. A. Dumas’ Son of Monte-Cristo, II. in Wks. XXVIII. xliv. 331. One word led to another, and finally chairs were taken up to settle the discussion.

2039   (c)  With special obj., implying a purpose of using in some way: as, to take up one’s pen, to proceed or begin to write; to take up a book (i.e., with the purpose to read): to take up the (or one’s) cross (see CROSS sb. 4, 10): to take up ARMS, the CUDGELS, the GLOVE, the HATCHET (see the sbs.).

2040 c. 1420.  Brut, ccxlii. 355. Þay waged batayle & cast doun her gloues; & þanne þey were take vp and seled.

2041 1481, 1579.  [see GLOVE sb. 1 d].

2042 1590–.  [see GAUNTLET sb.1 1 c].

2043 1621.  T. Williamson, trans. Goulart’s Wise Vieillard, A ij b. I tooke up my Pen againe, and at starts and tymes finished it.

2044 1660.  trans. Amyraldus’ Treat. conc. Relig., II. iv. 216. He took up arms for the conservation of his Country.

2045 1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 514, ¶ 1. Not finding my self inclined to sleep, I took up Virgil to divert me.

2046 1816.  Scott, Old Mort., xxx. That the cause of his country, and of those with whom he had taken up arms, should suffer nothing from being entrusted to him.

2047 1866.  G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., i. A man had to take-up his cross.

2048 1876.  ‘Mark Twain,’ Tom Sawyer, vii. She [Becky] had to hide her griefs and still her broken heart and take up the cross of a long, dreary, aching afternoon, with none among the strangers about her to exchange sorrows with.

2049   (d)  To raise, lift (one’s hand, foot, head, etc.). Now of a horse or other beast.

2050 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 15227 (Trin.). Vp he toke his holy hond & ȝaf þe benesoun.

2051 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, ix. 249. Rycharde that lay a grounde thus wounded … toke up his hede, and sayd [etc.].

2052 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 73. He steps boldly, and takes up his Fore-Feet pretty high. Ibid., 77. A Horse should take up his Feet moderately high.

2053   (e)  To take (a person) from the ground into a vehicle, or on horseback, etc. Said of a person, or of the carriage, horse, train, etc. Also absol. of a vehicle, a train, etc. To take up its occupants.

2054 1689.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2511/4. A Hackney-Coachman took up 3 Persons at Mark Lane-end. Ibid. (1710), No. 4735/4. A Hackney Coach … that took up his Fair in Southwark.

2055 1831.  Scott, Ct. Robt., xiii. We should not criticise the animal [elephant] which kneels to take us up.

2056 1857.  Trollope, Barchester T., x. Carriages … were desired to take up at a quarter before one.

2057 1893.  Eng. Illustr. Mag., X. 257/2. Our coach … duly took us up, and set us down.

2058 1898.  Westm. Gaz., 27 June, 10/1. All carriages will take up on the Embankment and Savoy-hill.

2059 1909.  Bradshaw’s Railway Guide, Aug., 21. Stops to take up 1st class Passengers for London. Ibid. Stops to take up for Reading or beyond.

2060   † (f)  fig. To raise (a siege). Obs. rare.

2061 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxiii. 493. Charlemagne … receyued theim honourably, and toke vp his siege, and went agen to parys.

2062   b.  To lead, conduct, convey, or carry (a person or thing) to a higher place or position.

2063 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 17547 (Cott.). Þat helias in ald dais, Was taken up als vnto heuen.

2064 1526.  Tindale, Acts i. 9. Whyll they behelde he was taken vp, and a cloude receaued hym vp out of their sight.

2065 1748.  Anson’s Voy., II. viii. 219. The taking up oysters from great depths … by Negro slaves.

2066 Mod.  He took me up into the belfry. You needn’t walk up the stairs; they will take you up in the lift.

2067   (b)  spec. To bring (a horse, ox, etc.) from pasture into the stable or stall.

2068 1482.  Cely Papers (Camden), 122. Lette hym [a horse] ron in a parke tyll Hallowtyd and then take hym wpe and ser hym and lette hym stand in the dede of whynter.

2069 1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, III. xix. (Roxb.), 184/2. Take vp your horse, is to take him from grasse to be kept in the stable.

2070 1844.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., V. I. 75. Calves … are taken up at night about the latter end of October. Ibid. (1846), VII. II. 394. Sixteen polled beasts … were taken up.

2071   c.  To pull up or in, so as to tighten or shorten; to make fast in this way, as a dropped stitch. In quot. 1882 intr. for pass. to become shortened, shrink.

2072 1804.  Mar. Edgeworth, Pop. Tales, To-Morrow, 340. This operation of taking up a stitch … is one of the slowest.

2073 1882.  Nares, Seamanship (ed. 6), 226. The longer the rope the more it takes up.

2074 1891.  Ménie Muriel Dowie, Girl in Karp., iii. 33. Each girth was altered to its last hole, the stirrup-leather taken up half a yard, but nowhere could it grip the little beast.

2075 1893.  Field, 8 Oct., 545/3. The direction to the groom would be ‘take up’ (or ‘let down,’ as the case may be) the near-side horse’s coupling rein.

2076   (b)  To tie ap or constrict (a vein or artery); ‘to fasten with a ligature passed under’ (J.).

2077 1565.  Blundevil, Horsemanship, IV. iii. (1580), 2 b. Most diseases are healed either by letting of bloud, by taking vp of vaines, by purgation, or else by cauterisation.

2078 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 41. The Absurdity of taking up the Veins for the Cure or Spavins.

2079 1840.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., I. III. 322. Should any considerable [blood] vessel be opened, it will be necessary to take it up by passing a thread underneath it, and tying it tightly.

2080   d.  To take into one’s possession, possess oneself of; with varions shades of meaning, as: to purchase wholesale, buy up; to get, receive, or exact in payment; to levy; to borrow (at interest); to hire.

2081 1421.  Coventry Leet Bk., 29. ȝat no maner of fresche fysher by, ne take up, no maner of fresche fysche of men of the contrey by way of regratry.

2082 c. 1440.  Jacob’s Well, 40. And þou apeyryst & lessyst þat tythe in takyng vp þi cost, here þou makyst þe cherche thrall.

2083 1528.  Bill, in R. G. Marsden, Sel. Pl. Crt. Adm. (1894), I. 41. I Thomas Thorne … have taken up by exchange of Thomas Fuller merchaunt … the sum of lxll sterling.

2084 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xii. (Arb.), 179. He that standes in the market way, and takes all vp before it come to the market in grosse and sells it by retaile.

2085 1655.  trans. Com. Hist. Francion, IV. 23. I must buy me a Cloak lined with plush, or take one up at the Brokers.

2086 1760–72.  H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), II. 130. He took up all the money he could, at any interest.

2087 1838.  T. Mitchell, Aristoph. Clouds, 6. Strepsiades had for the purchase taken up, money with two usurers, Pasias and Amynias.

2088 1890.  Pict. World, 2 Jan., 11/3. The whole of the limited edition … was taken up by the booksellers on the day of publication.

2089   (b)  To take (land) into occupation; to begin to occupy, settle upon. Cf. also v (6).

2090 1478.  Acta Dom. Conc. (1839), 6/1. He occupijt and tuke vp sa mekle of þe said landis of þe ȝeris forsaide.

2091 1682.  S. Wilson, Acc. Carolina, 16. Rent to commence in two years after their taking up their Land.

2092 1890.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 76. Persons … could ‘take up,’ that is merely mark out and occupy, as much land as they pleased.

2093   (c)  To accept or pay (a bill of exchange); to advance money on (a mortgage); to subscribe for (stock, shares, a loan) at their original issue.

2094 1832.  Examiner, 283/1. It was not convenient for her husband to take up the bill.

2095 1847.  C. G. Addison, On Contracts, II. v. § 1 (1883), 771. A person who takes up a bill supra protest for the benefit of a particular party to the bill succeeds to the title of the party from whom … he receives it.

2096 1873.  Spencer, Stud. Sociol., x. 251. Not one of the thousand shares was taken up.

2097 1888.  Rider Haggard, Col. Quaritch, xi. 84. I am disposed to try and find the money to take up these mortgages.

2098 1890.  Chamb. Jrnl., 10 May, 294/1. Sums of money could be remitted for the purpose of taking up bills on the last day of grace.

2099 1891.  Harper’s Mag., Nov., 246/2. He persuaded the citizens to take up the Queen’s loans themselves.

2100 1904.  S. Dill, Roman Society, II. i. 194. The daughter of one of his friends was left with an embarrassed estate; Pliny took up all the debts and left Calvina with an inheritance free from all burdens.

2101   (d)  To make (a collection). Sc. and U.S.

2102 1832.  African Repository, VII. Feb., 374. In the evening, preached in the Reformed Dutch Church of Brunswick, and took up a collection for the Society of $23 85.

2103 1892.  ‘Mark Twain,’ in Idler, Feb., 15. They take up a collection and bury him.

2104 1908.  Daily Chron., 21 Dec., 4/7. The tambourine … still serves its notable purpose for ‘taking up,’ as the Scotch say, a collection.

2105   † e.  To obtain or get from some source; to adopt, ‘borrow’ (= sense 30); to apprehend with the senses, perceive (quot. 1607); to deduce, infer (= 31 b); to contract, ‘catch’ (= 44 b). Obs.

2106 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 454. Presently the wilde beasts take it [the scent] up, and follow it with all speed they can.

2107 1628.  Earle, Microcosm., ii. (Arb.), 22. Notes of Sermons, which taken vp at St. Maries, hee vtters in the Country.

2108 1662.  Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., III. ii. § 5. That the general conclusions of reason … were taken up from the observation of things as they are at present in the world.

2109 1700.  Dryden, Pref. Fables, Ess. (ed. Ker), II. 255. I find … I have anticipated already and taken up from Boccace before I come to him.

2110 1848.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., IX. II. 360. We can conceive that an animal … should take up the disease, and afterwards communicate it to others.

2111   † (b)  ? To receive, get, have accorded to one.

2112 1639.  Fuller, Holy War, V. xxvi. (1647), 274. A chronologer of such credit that he may take up more belief on his bare word than some others on their bond.

2113   f.  To receive into its own substance or interstices; to absorb (a fluid); to dissolve (a solid); also, to receive and hold upon its surface (quot. 1840).

2114 1682.  Art & Myst. Vintners, xxxviii. 20. Dip in it [printed it in] so many cloaths as will take it up, and put the cloaths in your Hogshead.

2115 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 105. Nutritive Juices, taken up by the absorbent Vessels.

2116 1758.  Reid, trans. Macquer’s Chym., I. 47. An acid cannot take up above such a certain proportion thereof as is sufficient to saturate it.

2117 1805.  W. Saunders, Min. Waters, 29. Water, at a moderate temperature, will readily take up its own bulk of carbonic acid gas.

2118 1840.  Gosse, Canadian Nat., xvi. 251. Capable of taking up and holding a large quantity of water.

2119 1877.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. 141/2. The elastic roller thus takes up the color from the pores of the wood.

2120 1892.  Cornh. Mag., Sept., 257. Water will take up 2 lb. 10 oz. of salt to the gallon.

2121   g.  To grasp with the mind; to apprehend, understand: = sense 46; take in, 82 l. Also with the speaker as obj. (= 46 b). Obs. exc. Sc. in general sense; now only in restricted sense: To apprehend, appreciate (points in discourse, etc.).

2122 1659.  W. Guthrie, Christian’s Gt. Interest, viii. (1724), 88. A Man may take up his gracious State by his Faith, and the Acting thereof on Christ.

2123 1676.  J. Durham, Law Unsealed, Pref. 11. Be much in prayer for grace to take up its meaning.

2124 1741.  Watts, Improv. Mind, I. vi. § 6. A student should never satisfy himself with bare attendance on the lectures of his tutor, unless he clearly takes up his sense and meaning.

2125 1825.  Jamieson, s.v. He taks up a thing before ye have half said it.

2126 1867.  N. Macleod, Starling, I. v. 55. ‘I do not take you up, sir,’ replied the Sergeant.

2127 Mod.  He is a humorous speaker, and his jokes were well taken up by the audience.

2128   h.  To accept. † (a) To accept mentally (upon credit or trust), believe without examination, take for granted. Obs. (b) To accept (anything offered, esp. a challenge, a bet: also the person who offers it). Cf. 40. See also GAUNTLET sb.1 1 c, GLOVE sb. 1 d: see a (c).

2129 1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 34. It is strange how the ancients took up experiments upon credit, and yet did build great matters upon them.

2130 1662.  Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., I. iv. § 8. Greek writers … took up things upon trust as much as any people in the world did.

2131 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 126, ¶ 9. Notwithstanding he was a very fair Bettor, no Body would take him up.

2132 17[?].  Robin Hood’s Garland, Life, 10. The King took up the challenge, and the Queen, admiring the resolution of our hero, offered to lay a thousand pounds against the King.

2133 1880.  G. Meredith, Tragic Com., xviii. Marko … had taken up Alvan’s challenge.

2134 1892.  Sat. Rev., 8 Oct., 403/2. Mr, Stanley (on taking up the freedom of Swansea) spoke very vigorously on the subject.

2135 1893.  Temple Bar Mag., XCVII. 21. It don’t concern you who takes up the bets.

2136   i.  To take (a person) into one’s protection, patronage, or other relation; to adopt as a protégé or associate; to begin to patronize.

2137 1382.  Wyclif, Luke i. 54. He, hauynge mynde of his mercy, took vp Israel, his child.

2138 1482.  Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 35. That worshipfull olde fader the whiche … had take me vp to be a felow with him of his wey.

2139 1530.  Palsgr., 751/2. I take up, as a man taketh up his frende that maketh hym curtesye.

2140 a. 1635.  Naunton, Fragm. Reg. (Arb.), 26. The blow falling on Edward late Earl of Hereford, who to his cost took up the divorced Lady, of whom the Lord Beauchamp was born.

2141 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, li. When the Countess of Fitz-Willis … takes up a person, he or she is safe.

2142 1877.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. 62/2. He is just the man to take up a girl whom everybody neglected.

2143 1892.  Black & White, 10 Dec., 679/1. A great art patron took him up and he became ‘the fashion.’

2144   † j.  To levy, raise, enlist (troops). Obs.

2145 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 219 b. He toke vp all that were able to weare armure.

2146 1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., II. i. 199. You are to take Souldiers vp, in Countries as you go.

2147 1632.  Lithgow, Trav., III. 91. He was taken vp as a souldier.

2148   † (b)  intr. for refl. To enter (military or naval) service; to enlist; = take on, 84 l. Obs.

2149 1689.  Shadwell, Bury F., I. ii. The top of their fortune is to take up in some Troop.

2150   k.  trans. To capture, seize. † (a) Chess. = sense 2 d. Obs.

2151 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., xxi. 71 (Harl. MS.). Þe rook … holdith length & brede, and takith vp what so is in his way.

2152 c. 1470.  Treat. Chess (MS. Ashmole 344 lf. 5). Then he takith hym vpp with his knight.

2153   (b)  Falconry. To bring under restraint (a young hawk ‘at hack’) in order to train it: see quot. and HACK sb.2 1. Cf. b (b).

2154 1826.  J. Sebright, Observ. Hawking, 8. When … [Hawks] have omitted to come for their food at the accustomed hour, for two or three successive days,… it will be necessary to take them up, or they would in a short time go away altogether.

2155 1881.  E. B. Michell, in Macm. Mag., Nov., 40. An experienced falconer will ‘take up’ a young merlin from hack and have him trained in three or four days.

2156   † (c)  To take up for hawks: (app.) to seize and slaughter (an old or useless horse) as meat for hawks; hence allusively, taken up for hawks = done for, ruined. Obs.

2157 1471.  J. Paston in P. Lett., III. 7. I beseche yow, and my horse … be not takyn up for the Kynges hawkys, that he may be had hom and kept in your plase.

2158 a. 1553.  Udall, Royster Doyster, III. iii. Ye were take vp for haukes, ye were gone, ye were gone.

2159 [Cf. 1632.  Brome, Northern Lasse, I. iv. ’Slid I’le marrie out of the way: ’tis time I think: I shall be tane up for Whores meat else.]

2160   l.  To seize by legal authority, arrest, apprehend; in quot. 1821, to summon as a witness.

2161 1596.  Spenser, State Irel., Wks. (Globe), 679/1. Though the sherriff have this authoritye … to take up all such stragglers, and imprison them.

2162 1682.  Wood, Life, 25 Nov. (O.H.S.), III. 31. Duke of York hath brought an action against one Arrowsmith … upon the statute of Scandalum magnatum, who is taken up for it.

2163 1796.  Southey, Lett. fr. Spain (1799), 303. The Alcayde took up all the inhabitants of the village where it happened.

2164 1821.  Galt, Ann. Parish, xii. It was thought she would have been taken up as an evidence in the Douglas cause.

2165 1861.  Temple Bar Mag., II. 358. [He] was taken up for sacrilege, and brought before a magistrate.

2166   † m.  To arrest the progress or action of; to check, stop, ‘pull up.’ Obs.

2167 1631.  Weever, Anc. Fun. Mon., To Rdr. 7. I haue beene taken vp in diuers Churches by the Church wardens … and not suffered to write the Epitaphs.

2168 1699.  Dampier, Voy., II. I. iv. 78. For a small piece of Money a man may pass quiet enough, and for the most part only the poor are taken up.

2169   n.  intr. for refl. To check oneself, stop short, ‘pull up’; to slacken one’s pace; to restrain oneself; to reform, mend one’s ways. Obs. exc. dial.

2170 1613.  Fletcher, etc., Captain, IV. iii. Take up quickly; Thy wit will founder of all four else, wench, If thou hold’st this pace: take up, when I bid thee.

2171 1661.  Pepys, Diary, 13 Nov. My expensefull life … will undo me, I fear,… if I do not take up.

2172 a. 1700.  B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Oats, One that has sown his wild Oats,… begins to take up and be more Staied.

2173 1832.  Examiner, 611/1. She longs to make her fortune by her trade, that she may ‘take up and live godly.’

2174 1868.  Atkinson, Cleveland Gloss., Tak’ up,… to reform one’s ways.

2175   (b)  Of weather: To improve, mend, become fair.

2176 1845.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., VI. II. 570. The weather took up immediately afterwards.

2177 1889.  Froude, Two Chiefs Dunboy, xiv. On the second evening the weather began to take up.

2178   (c)  ‘Mech. To close spontaneously, as a small leak in a steam-pipe or water-pipe’ (Cent. Dict.).

2179   o.  trans. To check (a person) in speaking; to interrupt sharply, esp. with an expression of dissent or disapproval; to rebuke, reprove, or reprimand sharply or severely. Also to take up short: see SHORT.

2180 1530.  Palsgr., 750/1. It pityed my herte to here howe he toke hym up.

2181 1573.  L. Lloyd, Marrow of Hist. (1653), 241. His wife Xantippe began to take her husband up with taunting and opprobrious words.

2182 1645.  T. Coleman, Hopes Deferred & Dashed, 2. [He] rebukes him sharply, takes him up roundly.

2183 1768.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 80. Those, who would find fault with us for attributing colour, heat, and cold, to inanimate bodies, take us up before we were down.

2184 1885.  ‘F. Anstey,’ Tinted Venus, i. 14. ‘You do take one up so,’ he complained! ‘I never intended nothing of the sort.’

2185 1886.  H. Conway, Living or Dead, xxv. She wondered why the master took her up so short when she had mentioned his name.

2186   † p.  ‘To oppose, encounter, cope with’ (Schmidt, Shaks. Lex.). Obs.

2187 1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., I. iii. 73. His diuisions … Are in three Heads: one Power against the French, And one against Glendower: Perforce a third Must take vp vs. Ibid. (1607), Cor., I. i. 244. Corio. On faire ground, I could beat fortie of them. Mene. I could my selle take vp a Brace o’th’ best of them.

2188 1641.  Baker, Chron. (1660), 274. King Henry … in June kept a solemn Just at Greenwich, where he and Sir Charles Brandon took up all commers.

2189   † q.  (?) To touch up; to urge on, incite. Obs.

2190 1565.  Stapleton, trans. Bede’s Hist. Ch. Eng., V. vi. 158. But when I sawe them take their horses vppe with the spurres [L. concitatis … equis].

2191   † r.  To begin, commence (an action); esp. to begin to utter, set up, raise (laughter, lamentation, etc.). Obs. In quot. 1689 with inf. (obs.); in 1878 absol. (dial.).

2192 c. 1400.  Brut, 131. The Kyng his hondes lifte vp an hye, and a grete laughter toke op.

2193 c. 1425.  Cursor M., 15990 (Trin.). Þe cok toke vp his fliȝt.

2194 c. 1500.  Merch. & Son, 103, in Hazl., E. P. P., I. 139. The goste toke up a gresely grone, with fendys awey he glode.

2195 a. 1610.  Healey, Theophrastus (1636), 70. Then hee would take up a great laughter, as if some prodigy or ominous thing had happened.

2196 1689.  Aubrey, Lives (1898), I. 150 (2nd Ld. Falkland). ’Twas not long before he tooke-up to be serious.

2197 1878.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. 653/1. Meanwhile the ‘animal show’ at the appointed time ‘took up,’ as the country people expressed it.

2198   † (b)  To start, raise, or begin a song; hence (Sc.) to lead the singing of (a psalm) in church. Obs. (Cf. also to take up one’s parable: PARABLE sb. d.)

2199 a. 1380.  Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., xxiii. 1089. We han taken vp þe song Of Iubilacion.

2200 1577.  Burgh Rec. Edinb. (1882), IV. 60. The oulklie pentioun of ten schillingis appoynttit to Edwerd … Hendersoun, for all the dayis of his lyfe for taikin vp of the spalmes.

2201 1637.  in Cramond, Ann. Cullen (1888), 39. To read in the kirk and take up the psalm every Sabbath.

2202 1825.  Jamieson, s.v., ‘He tuke up the psalm in the kirk,’ he acted as precentor.

2203   s.  trans. To begin afresh (something left off, or begun by another); to enter anew upon; to resume.

2204 1654–66.  Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 692. With Atasernes I joyfully took up our way to the Camp.

2205 1712.  Addison, Paraphr. Ps. xix. Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale.

2206 1833.  Ht. Martineau, Manch. Strike, i. 5. When at last she lost her voice … he took up the word.

2207 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 482/2. Mr. Ward’s diary takes up the history … just where Lord Malmesbury’s memoirs leave it.

2208 1879.  M. Pattison, Milton, xii. 161. He took up all the dropped threads of past years.

2209 1902.  O. Wister, Virginian, xxxii. 421. We took up our journey, and by the end of the forenoon we had gone some distance.

2210   t.  To adopt (a practice, notion, idea, purpose, etc.); to assume (an attitude, tone, etc.); to engage in, ‘go in for’ (a study, profession, business, etc.).

2211 a. 1450.  Knt. de la Tour (1906), 64. She wolde not take hede to abyde unto her neygheboures … haue taken up the guyse or array that she wold haue.

2212 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, II. xii. (Arb.), 122. They of late yeares haue taken this pastime vp among them.

2213 1611.  Bible, Transl. Pref., 6. To haue the Scriptures in the mother-tongue is not a quaint conceit lately taken vp.

2214 1660.  trans. Amyraldus’ Treat. conc. Relig., II. ii. 163. He seem’d to have took up a resolution of trampling upon those superstitions.

2215 1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull, I. iv. Lewis Baboon had taken up the trade of Clothier.

2216 1821.  Southey, in Q. Rev., XXV. 289. Whatever part indeed Cromwell took up would be well maintained.

2217 1890.  Sat. Rev., 20 Sept., 355/1. Those parts of the Ethics which they are obliged to take up for ‘Greats.’

2218   (b)  To take in hand, proceed to deal practically with (a matter, question, etc.); to interest oneself in, espouse, embrace (a cause).

2219 1502.  Star Chamber Proc., Michaelm. 18 Hen. VII. The said late Shireffes … caused two of her frendes to take up this haynouse matier betuix theym as arbitrours.

2220 1771.  Mrs. Harris, in Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury, I. 221. This [conflict with the City] was taken up yesterday in the House; the Speaker gave a detail of the fact.

2221 1820.  Examiner, No. 618. 109/1. How generous to take up the cause of the afflicted!

2222 1869.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., III. xiii. 312. The cause of William was eagerly taken up.

2223 1892.  Law Times, XCIII. 459/2. Mr. Bros … suggested that the Public Prosecutor should take the matter up.

2224 1906.  A. B. Hart, Slavery & Abolition, 1831–41, xiv. 207. No great daily took up the cause of abolition previous to 1860.

2225   † u.  To make up, settle, arrange amicably (a dispute, quarrel, etc.). In quot. 1666, to make up temporarily, ‘patch up.’ Obs.

2226 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 21 b. He had done as much as lay in him that the matter might be taken vp.

2227 1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., V. iv. 104. I knew when seuen Iustices could not take vp a Quarrell.

2228 1605.  Lond. Prodigal, II. ii. If you come to take up the matter between my master and the Devonshire man.

2229 1666.  Pepys, Diary, 24 Oct. The thing is not accommodated, but only taken up.

2230   † (b)  To make up, make good. Obs.

2231 1662.  Gurnall, Chr. Arm., III. 302. If you be hindred of your rest one Night by business, you will take it up the next.

2232   v.  To proceed to occupy (a place or position, lit. or fig.); to station or place oneself in; = sense 27.

2233 1565.  Stapleton, trans. Bede’s Hist. Ch. Eng., 86. Taking vpp his inne, and finding the neighbours of the parish at feast with the oste.

2234 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, II. v. (Arb.), 88. He taketh vp his lodging, and rests him selfe till the morrow.

2235 a. 1672.  Wood, Life (O. H. S.), I. 109. When they were going to their … beds, two or 3 houres after he had taken up his rest.

2236 1736.  Wesley, Wks. (1872), I. 26. Mr. Delamotte and I took up our lodging with the Germans.

2237 1840.  Thirlwall, Greece, lviii. VII. 307. He cleared the defiles and took up his quarters for the rest of the winter at Celænæ.

2238 1888.  McCarthy & Praed, Ladies’ Gallery, II. ii. 29. I did not accept his invitation to take up my residence in his house.

2239 1893.  Traill, Soc. Eng., Introd. 15. We may take up a position from which we can survey the entire array.

2240   † (b)  To engage or hire (a lodging) for the purpose of occupying; = sense 15 c. Cf. d (b). Obs.

2241 1602.  Marston, Antonio’s Rev., I. ii. Twere best you tooke some lodging up, And lay in private till the soile of griefe Were cleard your checke.

2242 1709.  Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xv. 188. The Bp. of London’s palace, and the Dean of Paul’s house,… were taken up for the French ambassadors.

2243   (c)  Take up house: † to take or rent a house (obs.); to start housekeeping; become a householder. Sc.

2244 1612.  Shetland Act, in Scotsman, 29 Jan. (1886), 7/2. It sall not be lesum for servile persones not worth … 72 punds Scottis to tak up houssis.

2245 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 13/1. He was unwilling to incur the expense of taking up house.

2246 1876.  Smiles, Sc. Natur., i. John Edward and his wife ‘took up house’ in the Green, one of the oldest quarters of the city.

2247   † (d)  absol. or intr. To take up one’s quarters, lodge, ‘put up.’ Obs.

2248 1626.  B. Jonson, Staple of N., IV. ii. How much ’twere better, that my Ladies Grace Would here take vp Sir, and keepe house with you.

2249 1662.  Pepys, Diary, 14 Oct. To Cambridge…, whither we come at about nine o’clock, and took up at the ‘Beare.’

2250 1724.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 14. I was … forced to take up at a little village.

2251   w.  trans. To occupy entirely; to occupy the whole of, fill up (space, time, etc.); to occupy exclusively (quot. 1615); to occupy so as to hinder passage, to obstruct (quots. 1607, 1631). Cf. 28.

2252 1607.  Shaks., Cor., III. ii. 116. My throat of Warre be turn’d … into a Pipe…, and Schoole-boyes Teares take vp The Glasses of my sight.

2253 1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 633. It tooke up in compasse above a mile.

2254 1615.  G. Sandys, Trav., 69. The men take them [the public baths] up in the morning, and in the afternoone the women.

2255 1631.  Weever, Anc. Fun. Mon., 11. Tombes are made so huge great, that they take vp the Church, and hinder the people from diuine Seruice.

2256 1640.  S. D’Ewes, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 167. Some petitions … tooke upp our time a great parte of the morning.

2257 1705.  trans. Bosman’s Guinea, 490. The sixteen Red Cliffs, which take up in all about three Miles in length.

2258 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), I. v. 85. The 7th … I took wholly up to make me a chair.

2259 1825.  New Monthly Mag., XIV. 392. The first quatrain … is taken up with a list of rivers.

2260 1885.  Mrs. Lynn Linton, Christ. Kirkland, II. ix. 274. It took up his time and bored him.

2261   (b)  To use up, consume (labor, material): cf. 28. ? Obs.

2262 1679.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., viii. 142. The Fraiming work will take up more labour.

2263 1712.  J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 121. You may fill up the Holes to the Level of the Ground…, to take up the Earth that may possibly remain to be disposed of.

2264 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), I. iv. 80. The prodigious deal of time and labour which it took me up to make a plank or board.

2265   (c)  To occupy or engage fully, engross (a person, his attention, mind, etc.). Chiefly in pass. (const. with, sometimes in); also in Sc. and north. dial. = to be taken with, take an absorbing or engaging interest in.

2266 1599.  B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., V. ii. He is taken up with great persons.

2267 a. 1617.  Bayne, Lect. (1634), 201. To take our selves up with some behoofefull duty.

2268 1624.  Massinger, Renegado, IV. i. I am so wholly taken up with sorrow.

2269 1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 79, ¶ 1. While I am taken up with imaginary Schemes (as he called them) he might not burn with real Desire, and the Torture of Expectation.

2270 1712.  Budgell, Spect., No. 301, ¶ 8. I was wholly taken up in these Reflections.

2271 1753.  trans. Mad. Maintenon’s Letters, cxciv. (12 March, 1696), 201. My Girls are no Resource to me against Melancholy. From Morning till Night I am taken up with deciding their Differences and preventing Discord: I had rather have an Empire to govern.

2272 1832.  Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, v. 76. She is taken up with making her husband comfortable.

2273 1886.  Ruskin, Præterita, I. vi. 174. I was extremely taken up with the soft red cushions of the armchairs.

2274 1892.  Mrs. H. Ward, David Grieve, II. vii. I think he feels he must make his way first. His business takes him up altogether.

2275   **  intransitive senses.

2276   (See also subordinate uses in j (b), n, n (b, c), r, v (d).)

2277   x.  Take up for: to stand up for, take the part of, side with. U.S. Cf. to take for, 20 b.

2278 1878.  Scribner’s Mag., XV. 769/2. To Amanda’s surprise her father took up for Mark. Ibid., XVI. 627/2. Twonnet thought … that it was a shame for … Mr. Whittaker to take up for Bonamy.

2279   y.  † Take up in, to interest oneself or itself in, concern itself with, have reference to. Obs.

2280 1665.  J. Spencer, Vulg. Proph., 120. Hath not the World out-grown the follies of Auguries … and took up in the resolves of Reason, as the best Oracle to consult in a civil business?

2281 c. 1666.  South, Serm., John vii. 17 (1697), I. 246. The former Articles, that took up Chiefly in Speculation and Belief.

2282   z.  Take up with. (Cf. take with, 75 a–c.) (a) To associate with (a person); to begin to keep company with; to consort with (esp. with a view to marriage). Cf. i.

2283 a. 1619.  Fletcher, Wit without M., I. i. He’s taken up with those that woo the Widow.

2284 1693.  Humours Town, 28. The man of Mode takes up with a damn’d Jilt.

2285 1815.  Scott, Guy M., xi. To see his daughter taking up with their son.

2286 1824.  Examiner, 250/2. Having … absconded and taken up with another woman.

2287 1887.  Miss E. Money, Dutch Maiden (1888), 329. If you cannot marry her, you won’t care to take up with another.

2288   (b)  To adopt, espouse (esp. as a settled practice); to assent to, agree with, accept. arch.

2289 1692.  Bentley, Boyle Lect., 58. I could as easily take up with that senseless assertion of the Stoicks.

2290 1724.  A. Collins, Gr. Chr. Relig., 275. Taking up with all manner of false proofs in behalf of Christianity.

2291 1825.  Froude, in Rem. (1838), I. 178. My lately having taken up with reading sermons.

2292 1885.  J. Martineau, Types Eth. Th., I. 127. We take up at once with the belief that the space around us is empty.

2293   † (c)  To be satisfied with; to content oneself with, put up with, tolerate. Obs.

2294 1609.  Holland, Amm. Marcell., 394. Never doe wee find that he tooke up with any mild correction and punishment.

2295 1633.  Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 395 (Jer. xxii.). I will not take up with the old and meane buildings of my Ancestors.

2296 1726.  Butler, Serm., Love God, Wks. 1874, II. 186. Nature teaches and inclines us to take up with our lot. Ibid. (1736), Anal., II. viii. ibid., I. 300. The unsatisfactory nature of the Evidence, with which we are obliged to take up.

2297 1825.  New Monthly Mag., XIII. 588. The book-sellers … buy all the good books, and the joint stock company must take up with the refuse of the market.

2298   † (d)  To betake oneself to: = take to, 74 c. Obs.

2299 1785.  Miss Fielding, Ophelia, I. iv. At night he again took up with his Couch.

2300   XIII.  91. In various idiomatic phrases (besides those mentioned under the senses to which they belong), as take into ACCOUNT, in (into) one’s HEAD, in (to) PIECES, to TASK, in TOW, upon TRUST, in VAIN, to WITNESS, at one’s WORD, in WORTH, etc., for which see the sbs.

2301   ☞  Key to phrases treated under the senses.

2302   Not including the adverbial combinations 76–90, nor all phrases referred to the sb. or other leading word in them; see also 72, 91.

2303   Take an accent 22, t adieu 55, t after 73, t against 20 b, t aim 64, t the air 13 b, t alarm 65, t assizes 32, t the attention 10 d, t a bath 13 b, t beginning 52 b, t blind 7 d, t one a blow 5 b, t buck, bull 39 b, t the chair 27, t charge 66, t in charge 17, t cold 44 b, t with compasses 32 c, t credit 21, t at cards, at chess 2 d, t the crown 16 c, t day 67, t one’s death 40 b, t a degree 34, t one’s dick 17 b, t diligence 51 c, t a disease 44 b, t drink 13, t in earnest 42, t end 72, t an examination 32 a, t the eye 10 d, t farewell 55, t a fence 43, t fire 68, t flight 72, t to flight 74 b, t food 13, t for 20 b, 48, t form 16 a, t fright 50, t in good part 42, t good-night 55, t the gown, the habit 16 c, t to a habit 74 e, t by the hand 3, t in or on hand 17, t a hint 41, t hoarse 7 d, t hold 69, t horse 39 b, 70, t house 15 c, t in idle 26 b, t ill 7 d, e, 42, t an inflexion 22, t inn 25, t inquisition 32 a, t intent 51 c, t interest 50, t into 4, t it 17 c, 47 c, t a journey 52, t knighthood 34, t labor 19 b, t lame 7 d, t a lease 15 c, t leave 21, 72, t leg 24 c, t the life of 58 b, t in marriage 14 b, t medicine 13, t mercy 51 b, t to mercy 14, t minutes 33 a, t an oar 16 c, t an observation 32 b, t an obstacle 43, t off one’s feet 58, t on 50 c, 84, t on oneself 16, 18, t a paper, periodical 15 d, t a photograph, picture 33 b, t the points 43, 46, t possession 71, t punishment 37, t a resolution 51 a, t salt 13, 44 c, t satisfaction 37, t ship 24 c, t short 8 b, t a size (in gloves, etc.) 28 b, t snuff 13, t in snuff 42, t (so much) 28, t one’s stand 27, t a step 52, t a stick to 24 b, t temperature 32 b, t thought 51 c, t to 74, t one’s time 28, t toil 19 b, t a trip 52, t trouble 19 b, t truce 54, t a turn 52, t upon oneself 18, t the way 25 b, t on one’s way 25 c, t well 42, t (to) wife 14 b, t wing 24 c, t to wing 74 b, t with 75, t with one 59 b, c.

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