betake

[ bih-teyk ]

verb (used with object)

, be·took [bih-, took], be·tak·en, be·tak·ing.

1. to cause to go (usually used reflexively):

   She betook herself to town.

2. Archaic. to resort or have recourse to.

betake

/ bɪˈteɪk /

verb

1. betake oneself
   to go; move
2. archaic.
   to apply (oneself) to

Word History and Origins

Origin of betake¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, betake is from the Middle English word bitaken. See be-, take

Example Sentences

“Yes, sir, I will advertise immediately: and meantime, I suppose—” I was going to say, “I suppose I may stay here, till I find another shelter to betake myself to:” but I stopped, feeling it would not do to risk a long sentence, for my voice was not quite under command.

From Literature

As soon as you have ascertained that everything is prepared to act in case we are called upon--which I hope may not be the case, as I do not like the service--you may betake yourself to Harbourne House, making me a report as you pass.

From Project Gutenberg

The world would go on just as well without you and I, if we were put out of it to-morrow; friends would find new friends, sweethearts gain new lovers, servants betake them to new masters, and the roses would grow, and the birds would sing, and love, and war, and policy, and the wind of heaven, would have their course as if nothing had happened.

From Project Gutenberg

His parents and relations were all Catholics and having been introduced at an early age into the house of a Huguenot nobleman, and attached for many years to the person of his son, with only one other Catholic in the household, it would seem to have been the natural course of policy for the valet, under his liberal view of things, to abandon Catholicism, and betake himself to the pleasant heresy of his masters.

From Project Gutenberg

All infected with heresy were to abjure it, while their leading doctors, John Jessenitz, Jacobel of Mies, Simon of Rokyzana, and six others, were to betake themselves to Rome for trial.

From Project Gutenberg