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." "In impressions from mind to mind, the impression taketh, but is overcome... before it work any manifest effect."
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."
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 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."
(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."
To take up. (a)To stop. (Obs.) "Sinners at last take up and settle in a contempt of religion."
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."
(b)To lodge with; to dwell with. (Obs.)
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