• Betake

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /bɪˈteɪk/
    • Rhymes: -eɪk

    Origin 1

    From Middle English betaken, bitaken, in form equivalent to - + take, however, in sense from betæcen, betechen ("to beteach"). More at beteach.

    Full definition of betake

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To beteach.

    Origin 2

    From - + take. Cognate with Danish betage ("to take, deprive, cut off"), Swedish betaka ("to take, deprive, cut off").

    Verb

    1. (transitive, obsolete) To take over to; take across (to); deliver.
    2. (transitive, obsolete) To seize; lay hold of; take. from 15th c.
      • 1891, Mary Noailles Murfree, In the "Stranger People's" Country, Nebraska 2005, p. 194:a rain-cloud ... had betaken a dusky brown color, and about its lower verge a fringe of fine straight lines of rain was suggested ....
    3. (reflexive, archaic) To take one's self to; go or move; repair; resort; have recourse. from 17th c.
      • 1885, Sir Richard Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 12:I was glad of my arrival for I was wearied with the way, and yellow of face for weakness and want; but my plight was pitiable and I knew not whither to betake me.
    4. They betook themselves to treaty and submission. — Burke.The rest, in imitation, to like arms
      Betook them.
      — Milton.
    5. (reflexive, archaic) To commit to a specified action. from 16th c.
    6. (transitive, archaic) To commend or entrust to; to commit to.
    7. (intransitive, archaic) To take oneself.

    Synonyms

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