betake
Americanverb (used with object)
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to cause to go (usually used reflexively).
She betook herself to town.
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Archaic. to resort or have recourse to.
verb
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to go; move
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archaic to apply (oneself) to
Etymology
Origin of betake
First recorded in 1175–1225, betake is from the Middle English word bitaken. See be-, take
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Aving already ad bestselling olidays in Paris and Manhattan, Mrs. 'Arris as ardly anyplace else to betake erself to but the Ouse of Commons.
From Time Magazine Archive
Gradually the household betake themselves to bed and Authoress Dix reviews them as they lie, wrapped in their several irremediable miseries.
From Time Magazine Archive
Propaganda for return of the pre-machine modes of production is equivalent to preaching that man should do away with clothes, grow hair all over his body and betake himself to the forests.
From Time Magazine Archive
"And it is here that I must betake me to my Lord Don Quixote in order that I may learn of him how to confront ridicule and overcome it."
From Time Magazine Archive
I look on with wonder to see how the hurly-burly of modern life subsides, and the elements gently betake themselves to their allotted places.
From Transcendentalism in New England A History by Octavius Brooks Frothingham
She had gone down to the boat dock in the hope of having a word with the handsome waterman; and returned from it reluctantly, finding he had betaken himself to his boat.
From Gwen Wynn by Mayne Reid
She had betaken herself thither none knew how.
From Walks in Rome by Augustus J. C. Hare
We have betaken ourselves occasionally to the process of rumination, but it did not render us much assistance.
From An Introduction to the History of Japan by Katsuro Hara
They might have betaken themselves to the boat at the last moment, or they might have gone down with the ship.
From The Twa Miss Dawsons by Margaret M. (Margaret Murray) Robertson
Hither it was that Jerry Gullen had betaken himself with his family and the Canary, after the great eviction.
From A Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison
When conscience has extorted a confession, she returns him to his monastery and God, betaking herself to the Garden of Allah, gem of the desert, where their courtship began and her days will end.
From Time Magazine Archive
Mr. Newhall's venture proving unsuccessful, Mrs. Garrison was constrained to resume nursing and Lloyd was sent back to Newburyport, his brother betaking himself to the sea.
From Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 6 A series of pen and pencil sketches of the lives of more than 200 of the most prominent personages in History by Charles F. (Charles Francis) Horne
On my way home—remember, it was before eight o'clock—I met her betaking herself to what she calls "matins."
From The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 25, January 1893 An Illustrated Monthly by Various
He did not see her again that night, betaking himself at a very late hour to his own dressing-room.
From Is He Popenjoy? by Anthony Trollope
Years ago I thought of fleeing, even if I left all behind me, and either returning to England, or betaking myself to America; but it is too late now, Giorgio, it is too late.
From The Bible in Spain Vol. 1 [of 2] by George Henry Borrow
Last week Sir John Simon betook himself to a microphone connected with a Continental hook-up and made a speech in French.
From Time Magazine Archive
The father found, of course, no gold covering the Michigan district where he eventually betook himself.
From Time Magazine Archive
So last week, to discuss this necessary monster, mayors, professors, doctors, businessmen betook themselves to St. Louis, to the 32d annual convention of the National Municipal League.
From Time Magazine Archive
Just when Kennedy was trying to calm the business community,* Solicitor General Archibald Cox betook himself back to Harvard for a speech calculated to make any businessman blanch with dismay.
From Time Magazine Archive
Alyce betook herself to the cottage door, ready to run from this horror.
From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman
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