Take v. i.
1. To take hold; to fix upon anything; to have the natural or intended effect; to accomplish a purpose; as, he was inoculated, but the virus did not take.
When flame taketh and openeth, it giveth a noise. --Bacon.
In impressions from mind to mind, the impression taketh, but is overcome . . . before it work any manifest effect. --Bacon.
2. To please; to gain reception; to succeed.
Each wit may praise it for his own dear sake,
And hint he writ it, if the thing should take. --Addison.
3. To move or direct the course; to resort; to betake one's self; to proceed; to go; -- usually with to; as, the fox, being hard pressed, took to the hedge.
4. To admit of being pictured, as in a photograph; as, his face does not take well.
To take after. (a) To learn to follow; to copy; to imitate; as, he takes after a good pattern. (b) To resemble; as, the son takes after his father.
To take in with, to resort to. [Obs.] --Bacon.
To take on, to be violently affected; to express grief or pain in a violent manner.
To take to. (a) To apply one's self to; to be fond of; to become attached to; as, to take to evil practices. “If he does but take to you, . . . you will contract a great friendship with him.” --Walpole. (b) To resort to; to betake one's self to. “Men of learning, who take to business, discharge it generally with greater honesty than men of the world.” --Addison.
To take up. (a) To stop. [Obs.] “Sinners at last take up and settle in a contempt of religion.” --Tillotson. (b) To reform. [Obs.] --Locke.
To take up with. (a) To be contended to receive; to receive without opposition; to put up with; as, to take up with plain fare. “In affairs which may have an extensive influence on our future happiness, we should not take up with probabilities.” --I. Watts. (b) To lodge with; to dwell with. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
To take with, to please. --Bacon.