take
UK: teɪk | US: teɪk
vt. to lay hold of something with one's hands
vt. to remove or steal something
vt. to accept or receive something offered
vi. to have the intended effect (e.g., medicine)
n. a single continuous recorded performance (e.g., film)
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The word "take" originates from Old English tacan, meaning "to grasp or capture," likely borrowed from Old Norse taka. Its core meaning of "seizing" has remained remarkably stable, though it has expanded metaphorically (e.g., "take a chance"). Unlike Latin-derived verbs with clear prefixes (e.g., "comprehend"), "take" resists decomposition due to its Germanic roots and compact phonetic structure.
She reached out to take the book from the shelf.
Thieves broke in and took all the electronics.
Will you take this gift as a token of gratitude?
The vaccine took effect within hours.
The director approved the scene in one perfect take.