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

• partaker noun
• partakable adjective
• 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

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

Read more on Salon

That was in keeping with guidance from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that healthy adults over 65 partake of no more than seven drinks a week.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So partaking with ample time between races is allowed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But what really made Brown see himself clearly was the time he and Bathé partook in the psychedelic ayahuasca at a Costa Rica dispensary.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He didn’t drink and he was about to get married, so the frat house atmosphere of a professional baseball team wasn’t one he partook of.

Read more on Los Angeles Times