partake

[ pahr-teyk ]

verb (used without object)

, par·took [pahr-, 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.

verb (used with object)

, par·took [pahr-, took], par·tak·en, par·tak·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• parˈtaker, noun

Other Words From

• par·taka·ble adjective
• par·taker noun
• prepar·take verb (used without object) prepartook prepartaken prepartaking
• unpar·taken adjective
• unpar·taking 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

It halted a disastrous law enforcement experiment, which, among other things, unleashed the Ku Klux Klan to perpetuate state-sanctioned violence against people of color who had the temerity to partake in a simple drink.

From Fortune

Even as she approaches a breakdown and partakes in suicidal ideation, the writing maintains a glassy, poetic remove.

From Washington Post

That said, women who are less fit and don’t partake in regular exercise may not respond so effectively.

From No Straight News

Virtual high school as a product isn’t built for adoption en masse, but instead works best for students who can afford to partake in self-directed and independent learning.

From TechCrunch

When she placed her first cowrie piece on her head, she did so knowing she had left Côte d’Ivoire for the first time to partake in Ghana’s Chale Wote Street Art Festival, a festival of great social significance.

From Essence.com

This world is a horrid cancer that no decent soul should ever partake from.

From The Daily Beast

I'm pro the freedom to smoke and the freedom to grow and pass and partake.

From The Daily Beast

The Liebeck jury intuited that the only way to punish this logic of bigness was to partake of it.

From The Daily Beast

The point of fasting is not to die, just to suffer a little and those who cannot partake donate to feed the truly hungry.

From The Daily Beast

That all young citizens of Israel will partake both in Torah study and in military and civilian service.

From The Daily Beast

Victor was proud of his achievement, and went about recommending it and urging every one to partake of it to excess.

From Project Gutenberg

The cliffs of Red Point partake of a reddish tinge and appear to be disposed nearly in horizontal strata.

From Project Gutenberg

Having once taken your seat at table, you have nothing to do with the dinner but to partake of it.

From Project Gutenberg

If offered any dish of which you do not wish to partake, decline it, but do not assign any reason.

From Project Gutenberg

If there is a delicacy upon the table, partake of it sparingly, and never help yourself to it a second time.

From Project Gutenberg