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partake

[pahr-teyk]
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verb (used without object), par·took, par·tak·en, par·tak·ing.
  1. to take or have a part or share along with others; participate (usually followed by in): He won't partake in the victory celebration.
  2. to receive, take, or have a share or portion (usually followed by of): to partake of a meal.
  3. to have something of the nature or character (usually followed by of): feelings partaking of both joy and regret.
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verb (used with object), par·took, par·tak·en, par·tak·ing.
  1. to take or have a part in; share.
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Origin of partake

1555–65; back formation from partaking, Middle English part taking, translation of Latin participātiō participation
Related formspar·tak·a·ble, adjectivepar·tak·er, nounpre·par·take, verb (used without object), pre·par·took, pre·par·tak·en, pre·par·tak·ing.un·par·tak·en, adjectiveun·par·tak·ing, adjective

Synonym study

1. See share1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for partaker

Historical Examples

  • I was a partaker of all the feelings that were passing in their minds.

    Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume VI

    Various

  • He sees in every man a partaker of his own nature, and a brother of his own species.

    Gathering Jewels

    James Knowles and Matilda Darroch Knowles

  • How she envied their happiness, but she did not feel that she was, or ever could be, a partaker with them.

    The Third Miss Symons

    Flora Macdonald Mayor

  • You will here be partaker of their guilt, and hereafter of their plagues.

    Select Temperance Tracts

    American Tract Society

  • First be partaker of the new life, and then put off the old man with his deeds.

British Dictionary definitions for partaker

partake

verb -takes, -taking, -took or -taken (mainly intr)
  1. (foll by in) to have a share; participateto partake in the excitement
  2. (foll by of) to take or receive a portion, esp of food or drinkeach 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. (tr) archaic to share in
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Derived Formspartaker, noun

Word Origin

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

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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for partaker

n.

c.1400, from part (n.) + agent noun from take (v.); see partake.

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partake

v.

1560s, back-formation from Middle English part-taking (late 14c.), or part-taker (c.1400), both translations of Latin particeps "participant" (n.), also "sharing, partaking" (see participation). Related: Partook; partaking.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper