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View synonyms for take-up

take-up

[ teyk-uhp ]

noun

  1. the act of taking up.
  2. Machinery.
    1. any of various devices for taking up slack, winding in, or compensating for the looseness of parts due to wear.
  3. the contraction of fabric resulting from the wet operations in the finishing process, especially fulling.


take up

verb

  1. to adopt the study, practice, or activity of

    to take up gardening

  2. to occupy and break in (uncultivated land)

    he took up some hundreds of acres in the back country

  3. to shorten (a garment or part of a garment)

    she took all her skirts up three inches

  4. to pay off (a note, mortgage, etc)
  5. to agree to or accept (an invitation, etc)
  6. to pursue further or resume (something)

    he took up French where he left off

  7. to absorb (a liquid)
  8. to adopt as a protégé; act as a patron to
  9. to occupy or fill (space or time)
  10. to interrupt, esp in order to contradict or criticize
  11. take up on
    take up on
    1. to argue or dispute with (someone)

      can I take you up on two points in your talk?

    2. to accept what is offered by (someone)

      let me take you up on your invitation

  12. take up with
    take up with
    1. to discuss with (someone); refer to

      to take up a fault with the manufacturers

    2. intr to begin to keep company or associate with


noun

    1. the claiming or acceptance of something, esp a state benefit, that is due or available
    2. ( as modifier )

      take-up rate

  1. machinery the distance through which a part must move to absorb the free play in a system
  2. modifier denoting the part of a mechanism on which film, tape, or wire is wound up

    a take-up spool on a tape recorder

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Word History and Origins

Origin of take-up1

First recorded in 1815–25; noun use of verb phrase take up

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Example Sentences

The Daily Beast: What triggered you to take up this initiative?

When the rule of law and political transition fail to bring about change, disenfranchised and marginalized groups take up arms.

Most court-watchers expected that the Supreme Court would take up the issue, and the Kansas litigants were among them.

As they once again invade the safety of the prison that the group calls home, Rick is forced to take up the proverbial sword.

He does take up a leadership role, but his motivations are somewhat self-centered.

There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against the enemy.

That Lawrence, whom he looked upon almost as a son, should take up arms against the South was to him a source of endless regret.

Prepare the table, behold in the watchtower them that eat and drink: arise, ye princes, take up the shield.

Certain structures take up only acid dyes, and are called acidophilic, oxyphilic, or eosinophilic.

An English battery came thundering down the road to take up a fresh position and assist in covering the retreat.

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take umbragetake up a collection