partake

[pahr-teyk]

verb (used without object)

partook, partaken, partaking. 

1. to take or have a part or share along with others; participate (usually followed byin ).

   He won't partake in the victory celebration.

2. to receive, take, or have a share or portion (usually followed byof ).

   to partake of a meal.

3. to have something of the nature or character (usually followed byof ).

   feelings partaking of both joy and regret.

verb (used with object)

partook, partaken, partaking. 

1. to take or have a part in; share.

partake

/ pɑːˈteɪk /

verb

1. (foll by in) to have a share; participate

   to partake in the excitement

2. (foll by of) to take or receive a portion, esp of food or drink

   each partook of the food offered to him

3. (foll by of) to suggest or have some of the quality (of)

   music partaking of sadness

4. archaic,  (tr) to share in

Usage

Partake of is sometimes wrongly used as if it were a synonym of eat or drink. Correctly, one can only partake of food or drink which is available for several people to share

Other Word Forms

• partakable adjective
• partaker noun
• prepartake verb (used without object)
• unpartaken adjective
• unpartaking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of partake¹

First recorded in 1555–65; back formation from partaking, Middle English part taking, translation of Latin participātiō “taking part”; participation

Word History and Origins

Origin of partake¹

C16: back formation from partaker, earlier part taker, based on Latin particeps participant; see _part , _take

Synonym Study

See share ¹.

Example Sentences

He will no longer write the annual shareholder letter that comes out in February, and he will no longer partake in the annual shareholder meetings.

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The question hung over October’s Yale Family Weekend, as parents partook of cherished traditions like performances by the Yale Glee Club, lectures by distinguished faculty and tours of the neo-Gothic-style campus.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Guiteau couldn’t partake in what Makowsky delicately called the “benefits” of such a society, largely because his delusions of grandeur alienated him from others there.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Dressing up isn’t something that’s just for the kids — adults can partake in it too.

Read more on Salon

I’ve always been fascinated with apple bobbing, mainly because I wasn’t allowed to partake in it growing up.

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