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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TAK, v., n. Also †teak (s.Sc.). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. take. [tɑk. tek is now the common form in em.Sc.(b), s.Sc.]

I. v. A. Forms:

Pr.t. tak; †tack (Sc. a.1714 Earls Crm. (Fraser 1876) II. 484), takk, tauk (Sc. 1819 Blackwood's Mag. (Dec.) 320); tuk (Wgt. 1880 G. Fraser Lowland Lore 109); taik, tek; nonce reduced form ta (Abd. 1928 Abd. Weekly Jnl. (30 Aug.) 6). wm.Sc. 1985 Liz Lochhead Tartuffe 4:
Ah cry it a dampt disgrace
That a naebody should tak the maister's place!
To breenge in here, a raggity bare-fit tink,
Wi' the bareface to tell us whit to think.Sc. 1991 T. S. Law in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 34:
This was a sairlik jobe tae tak,
an gif the chiel was no sae swack
o mynd as caw gy caunnilie,
but gabbit gyan coorselik, say,
he'd finnd the waefou news as ill

Pa.t. teuk (Sc. 1757 Smollett Reprisal i. ii.; Ayr. 1785 Burns Jolly Beiggars Recit. iii.; Abd. 1880 W. Robbie Glendornie vi.; Rxb. c.1885 W. Laidlaw Poetry and People (1901) 45; Ork. 1913 Old-Lore Misc. VI. iv. 183; Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 81); tuik (Sc. 1817 Scott Rob Roy xxviii.; Abd. 1877 G. MacDonald M. of Lossie lviii.; Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. v. 174; Per., Fif., 1915–26 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai); tuk (Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 189; e.Lth. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 107; Uls. 1920 J. Logan Uls. in X-Rays vii.), tuek (Uls.); tuke (Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads II. 75; Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (5 June) 508), †tyuck (Sc. 1711 D. Warrand Culloden Papers (1925) II. 28), tyeuk (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xviii.), neg. tyeukna (Abd. 1882 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 16) [I., m. and s.Sc. tøk, tyk, tɪk, obsol.; wm.Sc. + ‡t(j)ʌk; ne.Sc. t(j)uk]. Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie in Neil R. MacCallum Lallans 51 (1998) 8:
"Whit black sight teuk thoo yin bjelkie for?" he speired. "Hid's dingan apae me side, an A'll be black an blue afore I win heem."m.Sc. 1979 William J. Rae in Joy Hendry Chapman 23-4 (1985) 79:
Weel, he had scarce but lowpit ashore and begun a hop or sae in the wey o the Gudgie Burn puddocks, whaun Eck tuik a byordinaur fit o croakin.Ayr. 1988:
A taen him for the milkmanGsw. 1990 John and Willy Maley From the Calton to Catalonia 24:
The fascist that taen ma gun aff me laughed an said he wiz gonnae pit it in a fuckin museum.Abd. 1990 Stanley Robertson Fish-Hooses (1992) 18:
Everything wis gan fine until the twa fellas wint on holiday and a pure guffie teen ower.Ags. 1993 Mary McIntosh in Joy Hendry Chapman 74-5 113:
She crulged ower him and taen the watter boattle frae him. Her haunds wur canny as she sweiled the bluid awaa and rowed up his airm wi the blauded wup.Edb. 1999:
She taen aw the best cakes!

Pa.p. reduced forms ta'en (Sc. 1720 A. Pennecuik Helicon 1; Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 102; Ayr. 1791 Burns Tam o' Shanter 18; Sc. 1820 Scott Abbot xviii.; Dmf. 1823 J. Kennedy Poems 50; Ags. 1889 Barrie W. in Thrums vi.; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Ork. 1929 E. Linklater White Maa's Saga 105; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai), tain (Sc. 1880 Jam.), †taine (Sc. 1765 T. Percy Reliques I. 33), tane (Sc. a.1784 Jock o the Side in Child Ballads No. 187 B.xiv.; Ayr. 1789 D. Sillar Poems 65; Dmf. 1823 C. K. Sharpe Ballad Bk. 4); tean (Abd. 1714 R. Smith Poems 3), teen (Abd. 1913 W. Fraser Jeremiah Jobb 21; Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 15; Sh. 1961 New Shetlander No. 56. 14; Sh., n.Sc. 1972), tein (Ags. 1948 J. C. Rodger Mary Ann 22) [Ork., m. and s.Sc. ten; Sh., n.Sc. tin]; full forms tacken (Kcd. 1712 Urie Court Bk. (S.H.S.) 115), taaken (Ork. 1931 Orcadian (7 May)), takken (Arg. 1932) tuke. [′tɑkən]; tekken (Per. 1905 E.D.D.); and mixed forms, strong-weak taend, taned, see below; also, in gen. illiterate use, by substitution of pa.t., teuk (Sc. 1757 Smollett Reprisal ii. i.), took (Edb. 1931 E. Albert Herrin Jennie iii. i.), tu(c)k (Uls. 1879 W. G. Lyttle Readings 81, 1910 C. C. Russell People and Lang. 42); tuke;  tooken (Sc. 1884 Scottish Reader (25 Oct.) 321; Bwk. 1899 A.T.G. Ann. Thornlea 7; Fif. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 269; Abd., Bwk., Dmb. 1972), tookin (Fif. 1909 J. C. Craig Sangs o' Bairns 145), tuiken (Fif. 1926 Wilson Ib.), tukken (Mry. 1830 T. D. Lauder Moray Floods (1873) 106). Some of these forms are also found in Eng. dial. In modern Sc., in ungrammatical speech, esp. in urban and industrial areas, the pa.p. is commonly used for the pa.t. (Fif. 1848 Feast Liter. Crumbs (1891) 44, 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin viii.; Lth. 1886 J. W. McLaren T. Catchiron 11; Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 125; Uls. 1900 T. Given Poems 142; Ayr. 1912 G. Cunningham Verse 71; Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 224), teen (Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xvi.; Abd. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 63). The pa.p. form taend, as if from a weak verb taen, is found only in children's usage in reference to being taken prisoner in a game, and hence the form taening, capture in a game (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 443).Dmf. 1810 R. Cromek Remains 252:
[In the game of England and Scotland] if the intruder be caught on the hostile ground he is taend, that is, clapped three times on the head, which makes him a prisoner.Sc. 1847 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 261:
[In the game the King and Queen of Cantelon] the company then break forth and make for the opposite door with all their might, and avoiding the two runners, who pursue and endeavour to catch as many as possible. On catching any, the runner places his hand upon their heads, when they are said to be taned, and are set aside. The game is repeated and continued till all are taned.

B. Usages: 1. With preps. and advs.: (1) tak about, adv., (i) to take care of, do what is necessary for, look after, nurse, handle, manage (I., ne.Sc. 1972); (ii) to prepare (a corpse) for burial (Ork., Rs., ne.Sc. 1972); (iii) to secure (a crop), to harvest successfully (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 188; Sh., ne.Sc. 1972); to bring home and store (peats); (iv) to harvest figuratively, bring to one's last home, to carry off by death; prep., (v) to wrap up, put warm coverings on (Sh. 1972); (vi) euphemistically: to kill; (2) tak aff, adv., (i) tr. to turn or shut off (e.g. moving machinery), to cease the running of (a mill) (Sh. 1887 Jam., Sh. 1972); (ii) to take measurements for (new clothes) (Sc. 1752 D. Hume Polit. Discourses 56); (iii) to take occupancy of an allotment of land (Sh. 1972); (iv) to pass off, make light of, dismiss as trivial (Ags. 1972); (v) to take aback, disconcert, put out, annoy (Sh. 1952 Robertson and Graham Sh. Grammar 31; I.Sc. 1972); (vi) intr. to abate, cease, of bad weather (Sc. 1905 E.D.D.); also transf. to come to a stop or standstill, “to seize up”; prep., (vii) to take after, resemble (Sh., Ags. 1972); (3) tak again, to recall, take back, withdraw (a promise, undertaking, etc.); (4) tak at, to proceed or go ahead with, to engage in some activity; with refl. pron., to increase one's effort, exert oneself, go harder at (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1966 New Shetlander No. 76. 37, Sh. 1972); specif. to pull (a boat) higher up on a beach (Jak.); (5) tak awa, (i) tr. or absol. to take food or drink, to eat heartily, to toss off (liquor) (I.Sc. 1972); (ii) specif. of the fairies: to take away a human child (and substitute one of their own), gen. in pass. (Uls. 1953 Traynor). Hence ta'en-awa', n., a fairy changeling (Sc. 1808 Jam.); (6) tak back, to return, betake oneself again (Sh. 1972). Obs. in Eng.; (7) tak doun, (i) to impair in health or strength, to weaken, debilitate, cause to lose flesh (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 188; Cai. 1905 E.D.D.; I., n., em.Sc.(b), sm.Sc. 1972). Obs. exc. dial. in Eng.; (ii) to reduce the potency of (spirits), dilute (Sh., Per., Kcb. 1972), in comb. Untaen Doon, undiluted, q.v.; (iii) to make down (clothes), refashion on a smaller scale (Sh., Kcb. 1972); to undo stitches in knitting; (iv) to reduce in circumstances, impoverish, bankrupt (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 188; Ork., n.Sc. 1972); (v) to launch (a boat) (Sh. 1972); ¶(vi) to swallow; (8) tak in, tr. (i) of farm stock: to house, bring in under cover for the night or over the winter (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 189; Sh., n.Sc., Per. 1972); (ii) to dismantle a cornstack and carry the sheaves to be threshed (Gregor; Sc. 1905 E.D.D.). Gen.Sc. Also in Eng. dial; (iii) to arrest, take into custody (Ork., ne.Sc., Per., Kcb. 1972); (iv) of a vessel: to admit (a liquid), to let in (water), leak (Sh., n.Sc., Per. 1972); (v) to bring in, welcome (a new day, year, etc.) (ne.Sc. 1972); (vi) to catch up with, come abreast of, overtake (Abd. 1825 Jam.); (vii) to get over (a road), cover (a distance) quickly, “eat up the miles” on (ne.Sc. 1972); (viii) intr. of a church: to assemble, begin service; (ix) with about: to take (one) under close surveillance, to curb, discipline, gen. of a refractory person (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Sh., ne.Sc. 1972); (x) with for: to speak in defence of, stand up for (Sh. 1972); (xi) with o'er: = (ix), see Inower, IV. 2.; (xii) with wi: to become intimate with, associate with (Lnk. 1880 Jam.). In †Eng. = to side with; = (vi) above (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.); (xiii) phr. to tak in a place, to create a disturbance in (Ags. 1972); (9) tak o', (i) to take after, resemble (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.; Ork., Cai. 1972). Cf. (2) (vi); (ii) with it as obj.: to accept as one's deserts, resign oneself to, take the consequences, “to lump it” (ne.Sc. 1971). Here o = on (see O, prep., 2.) and hence the pronunciation stress is on the o; (10) tak on, tr. (i) to buy on credit or account (Sc. 1789 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 112, 1808 Jam.). Gen.Sc., also absol.; (ii) to affect physically (ne.Sc., Ags., Fif., w.Lth. 1972); (iii) to “have (someone) on”, to chaff, pull one's leg (ne.Sc., Ags., Lnk., Wgt., Slk. 1972). Hence tak on, n., a leg-pull, a banter; (iv) of a stratum in a mine: to be overlaid by (another); (v) with inf.: to start, begin (Cai. 1972). Obs. in Eng.; intr. (vi) to get excited or emotional, to be “worked up” or tensed, to mope. Gen.Sc. Now colloq. or dial. in Eng.; specif. to be affected by drink, get tipsy or fuddled (Sc. 1808 Jam.); (vii) to take the consequences, take what is coming to one, make the best of it (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 189; Sh. 1905 E.D.D.); in imper., tak du on, it serves you right (Sh. 1972); Cf. (9)(ii); (viii) with till: to engage or take employment with; (ix) with wi: to take a liking to, be attracted by, gen. in pass. (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.). Gen. (exc. I.) Sc.; (11) tak out, (i) to enrol in (a specified class) or for (a certain subject) at a university. Gen.Sc.; (ii) to drink out, drain a glass, toss over (a drink) (Sc. 1812 W. Angus Eng. Grammar 347; Sh. 1972); †(iii) with frae: to buy from; (iv) where out is adv. in phr. to tak (a thing) ill out, to take offence at, be annoyed at (Ork. 1972). See Ill, II. 1. (4) and cf. (16) (vi)(a); (12) tak outower, to bring to book, discipline, chasten (Cai. 1934). Cf. (8)(ix) and (xi) and see Outower, II. 3.; (13) tak tae or til(l), prep., (i) to criticise adversely, to speak ill of, to mock at (Sh. 1972), usu. in pass. = to be notorious; also as a n., tak-tae, a telling off (Rxb. 1972); (ii) with refl. pron. as indirect obj.: (a) to acknowledge the truth of (an accusation), to feel guilt or remorse, be conscience-stricken about, to be self-conscious or sensitive over (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Sh., Abd., Ags., w.Lth., Lnk., s.Sc. 1972); to pull oneself together (Wgt. 1972); (b) to close (a door) behind oneself, to pull (a door) shut when one is leaving a room (Sh., n., em.Sc.(a), wm.Sc. 1972); (iii) to exert oneself, make an effort (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1972). Cf. (v); (iv) where tae (n.Sc. tee) is adv., (a) = (ii) (b) (Sh., n.Sc., Per. 1972); (b) of a plant: to take root, establish itself (Ork. 1972); (v) used refl. with till: to set oneself to a task, exert oneself (Sh. 1972). Cf. (iii); (14) tak up, tr. (i) as in Eng. to pick or gather up, hence taker-up, a harvest-hand who gathers the shorn corn into a sheaf; specif. to make a collection at a meeting, etc. Gen.Sc. and U.S.; (ii) to lead (the praise) in church, to act as precentor; (iii) to raise or lift (one's foot) in order to kick (Abd., Ags, 1972). Obs. in Eng.; (iv) to tend, care for, take charge of; (v) to prepare (fish) for curing or cooking (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.); (vi) to re-open (a school or college) after a holiday, to commence (a new term or session of). Also intr. Gen.Sc.: (vii) to comprehend, understand, get the meaning or hang of (a person or idea) (Sh., n.Sc., em.Sc.(a), w.Lth. 1972); (viii) in pass. with about, wi: to take a pleased interest in, to be charmed by, find agreeable (I., n.Sc., Per., Kcb. 1972); to be concerned about; (ix to strike against, hit, collide with (I.Sc. 1972). Also intr. with on; (x) refl., to improve in conduct or character, pull oneself together (Per., Rxb. 1972); (xi) phr. to tak up house, to start housekeeping, to set up a domestic establishment of one's own, to become a householder. Gen.Sc.; (xii) intr., to run into debt, to live on credit (Sc. 1881 A. Mackie Scotticisms 60; Ork., ne.Sc., Fif., w.Lth. 1972); (xiii) of wind: to rise, begin to blow (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh., Ayr., Wgt. 1972); (15) tak upon, (i) = (10) (ii); (ii) with refl. pron.: to assume self-importance, give oneself airs (Per. 1972); (16) tak wi, tr., (i) to admit, acknowledge, concede one's connection with, freq. of paternity, to own, acquiesce in (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 112, 1808 Jam.; ne.Sc., Ags. 1972); (ii) to affect or be affected by (drink); phr. ta'en wi the (salt, etc.), over-(salted, etc.) (Bwk. 1972); (iii) to welcome, entertain, look after (a person), gen. in pass. (I.Sc. 1972); (iv) in pass. to be busy or preoccupied with; (v) with refl. pron. as obj.: to haul or pull towards oneself; (vi) (a) to brook, relish, find (a person or thing) agreeable, take kindly to (I., n., em.Sc.(a), Dmb., Dmf. 1972), the reverse being expressed by the addition of the advs. badly, ill; (b) of a plant: to take root in, also absol. to strike, pick up, thrive; (vii) intr. to catch fire (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 112, 1808 Jam.), also tr. with it; (viii) of a pump: to commence suction, to draw, work (Sc. 1825 Jam.).(1) (i) Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 94:
Neist me persuades to gang wi' him a' night Where I sud be well ta'en about an' right.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 188:
The servan' took aboot the aul' man wee a' care.Abd. 1874 W. Scott Dowie Nicht 69:
Beer of superior quality and weel ta'en aboot.Abd. 1882 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 63:
It's a gryte comfort till a' hed the like o' you takin' aboot things.Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 137:
Dey teuk aboot 'er an' sheu cowered, bit waas niver da ting again.Bnff. 1947 M. Thom The Hearthrug 29:
The passing of years has made the old couple at the croft aged and frail and Jean and Willie go back there to “tak aboot them.”(ii) Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. 84:
As soon as the body had been taen aboot, that is dressed and laid out, a small plate of salt was placed on the chest of the deceased to prevent swelling.(iii) Ork. 1766 P. Fea MS. Diary (13 Oct.):
Got all my Corns taken about.Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 36:
Lattin fremd fowk tak aboot the crap.Sh. 1937:
We'll ha'e to see til it 'at da taaties is weel taen aboot.Abd. 1950 Buchan Observer (11 July):
“Takin' aboot the peats,” might include the whole of the work of making the peat fuel from casting, or cutting, to the wheeling out of the dry peats and the carting of them home and stacking, but more generally it applied more particularly to the spreading and setting in windrows, or ricklets to dry.Abd. 1965 Huntly Express (24 Sept.) 7:
We could hae ta'en aboot twa hairsts this year.(iv) Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 125:
The brak' up o' that storm taen aboot a puckle o' the aul' fowk.(v) Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (3 May):
Tak' weel aboot dee, Babie, an' follow Robbie hame.(vi) Abd. 1971 Huntly Express (23 April) 5:
It was, however, used sometimes in the sense, “he took 'imsel' aboot”, about someone who had committed suicide. “An' tae think that she took the little craitur aboot” might have been said about someone who had committed infanticide.(2) (ii) Rnf. 1711 Caldwell Papers (M.C.) 227:
Brandy, &c. at taking of my marriage Cloaths . . . £2 4 0 Sc.Sh. 1728 Old-Lore Misc. VI. ii. 96:
To take of for me a nightgoun, one side best Mankye.Inv. 1739 Trans. Gael. Soc. Inv. XI. 341:
To take off clothes for my little boy Sandie.Rxb. 1772 Session Papers, Petition B. Elliot (16 July) 2:
He desired the petitioner to take off mournings for herself.Sc. 1835 Gsw. Journal (17 Oct.) 31:
I ha'e spoken to Mr Cheap, the draper, and ye can tak' aff ony thing ye want.(iii) Mry. 1887 J. Thomson Speyside Par. 9:
My father decided to “tak' aff” one of the feus that were at the time being granted by the laird of Elchies.(iv) Abd. 1880 W. Robbie Glendornie iv.:
She jist took it aff wi' a lauch, an' said she suppos't the toon was weel redd o' the little scamp.(v) Sh. 1960 New Shetlander No. 54. 18:
Shü wis kinda taen aff wi yun an hit wis efter da nine o'clock's news afore shü consented ta pit on da pot for a air o stroopie.Sh. 1993 New Shetlander Sep 29:
Her midder wis kinda taen aff.
"Hit's a notion shu's taen lately".
Her faider, I tink, wis ill-plaised.
"Never leet her, Mam, lat her fant".
But shö lookit me straight in da eye an
shö said again,
"Granny, I don't aet meat". (vi) Sh. 1900 Shetland News (27 Jan., 7 July):
Whan is dis gales an' sleet gaein' ta tak' aff? . . . ‘I faer me back 'ill tak' aff.'(vii) Ayr. 1896 G. Umber Idylls 154:
I'm sure he doesna tak aff his forebears in that respect.(3) Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 151:
He's an Aberdeen's Man, he may take his Word again.Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 78:
Be frank, my Lassie, lest I grow fickle, And take my Word and Offer again.(4) Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 70:
An' fa was this, think ye, sae kindly spake, But Nory, taking at her evening wake.Sh. 1952 Robertson and Graham Sh. Grammar 31:
Tak at dee, boy, an we'll shön win hame.(5) (i) Ags. 1822 A. Balfour Farmer's Three Daughters 201:
A glass being filled out for the stranger, he just tasted . . . “Now, sir, just tak' it awa — it will put the shidder aff ye.”Cai. 1871 M. Maclennan Peasant Life 175:
Ye maun be hungry, lass. Sit doun an' tak' awa'.(ii) Ayr. 1822 Galt Entail xl.:
I begin to hae a notion, that he's a ta'enawa, . . . whoever lives to see him dee will find in the bed a benweed or a windle-strae.Sc. 1829 Scott Journal (1950) 667:
The Spaewife, who conceits herself to be a Changeling or Ta'en away.(6) Sc. 1817 Scott Rob Roy xxx.:
Ye had better tak back again to the Clachan.Sc. 1889 Stevenson M. of Ballantrae xi.:
Having forgot my presence, he took back to his singing.(7) (i) Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality xiv.:
This auld breath o' mine, and it's sair taen down wi' the asthmatics.Sc. 1836 Sir W. Hamilton Metaphysics (1865) I. 342:
Taken down with a bilious fever.Wgt. 1876 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 64:
Feed onybuddy on bear-meal and butter-milk, an' it'll tak them doon.Per. 1883 R. Cleland Inchbracken xiii.:
Gude grant he bena ta'en doon wi' a fivver on the tap o't.Abd. 1960:
That last bout o flu fairly took him doun.(iii) m.Lth. 1779 Scots Mag. (March 1965) 536:
Allan Turner, of Inglis Green Printfield near Edinburgh issued a warning in 1779 to his customers: “N.B. All possible care will be taken of old cloth and taken-down gowns, but these entirely at owner's risk.”Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 31:
Mysie began to tak' doon what she'd wrocht.(v) Bnff. 1887 G. G. Green Gordonhaven 31:
The launching or “takin' doon” was invariably accomplished by the fishermen themselves turning out in scores or hundreds. . . . “The hail toon is requestit to turn oot eynoo to tak doon the boats at Futtritneuk.”(vi) m.Lth. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick 199:
Tak it doun like soor dook.(8) (ii) Sh. 1900 Shetland News (20 Oct.):
Hit's a bit skrövlin, an'll be da first taen in.Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 17:
I like fin there's a ruck taen in To full the barn laft.(iii) Kcd. 1934 L. G. Gibbon Grey Granite 147:
[The police-sergeant] caught Ewan's shoulder: Stand away there, or I'll have you ta'en in.(iv) Sc. 1825 Jam.:
That boat taks in water.(v) Mry. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 80:
Thus wi' great cheer, the gladsome year Richt hertily is taen in.(vi) Bnff. 1954 Banffshire Jnl. (12 Jan.):
Ye can be holin'. I'll tak ye in onywye.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xx.:
Hardly able tae tak 'im in fin 'e wan a thochtie aheid o' ma.(vii) Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 84:
Right cheerfully the road they did tak in.Abd. 1960:
Ye can fairly tak in the road nooadays wi a car.(viii) Lnk. 1889 J. Wright J. Hamilton 47:
The church takes in at “twal' hoors.”(ix) Abd. 1970:
Ye're jist gettin a bit abeen yoursel, my lad; I'll hae tae tak you in about.(x) Sh. 1897 Shetland News (20 Nov.):
A'm no gaun ta tak' in fur da dog sae far.(9) (i) Sc. 1825 Jam.:
He disna tak o' his father, who was a gude worthy man.(ii) Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 189:
He's lost the maist o's siller; he can tack o't, for it didna cum in an honest wye.(10) (i) m.Lth. 1811 H. MacNeill Bygane Times 8:
Wi' unpaid feasts and tae'n on wine.Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. viii.:
Caleb can tak the wyte of whatever is taen on for the house.Edb. 1877 J. Smith Canty Jock 39:
There wasna a single shop where I was kent but she took on in my name.Ags. 1920 D. H. Edwards Muirside 253:
Paying the auld, an' takin' on the new.Fif. 1939 J. Lee Tomorrow a New Day 69:
She went to [a shop] and asked if she could be allowed to “take on.”(ii) Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xl.:
The gless o' punch 't they gat hed ta'en o' the loon.Abd. 1948:
This heat's fair takkin on me. The caul took on him an' he never cowert it.(iii) Abd. 1957 People's Jnl. (27 April):
Us ferm Geordies af'en hid a tak 'on o' 'em.Abd. 1970:
I dout ye're takin me on noo.(iv) Ayr. 1845 Stat. Acc.² V. 573:
It is overlaid by (or takes on, as the miners express it,) in succession, the following strata.(v) Sc. 1806 R. Jamieson Ballads I. 215:
Rosmer hame frae Zealand came, And he took on to bann.Abd. 1868 W. Shelley Wayside Flowers 89:
Syne the sticks tak' on to burn.(vi) Dmf. 1823 Letters T. Carlyle to his Brother (Marrs 1968) 138:
Is he still in Annan, and poor Marion Teakin on a' weenter?Sh. 1952 New Shetlander No. 31. 6:
Dey wir aa singin an hoochin an takkin on.Sh. 1965 New Shetlander No. 75. 18:
Shu wis wailin an takkin on.(vii) Abd. 1888 Sc. N. & Q. (Ser. 1.) II. 12:
I got a good sclype mysel, and I wantit them tae get as mickle. They can jist tak' on.Sh. 1899 Shetland News (14 Oct.):
He [a cat] fled furt yalkin', wi' his tail atween his legs. “Tak' on. Da cats an' dogs i' dis dwellin 'is weel brought up —.”Sh. 1952 Robertson and Graham Sh. Grammar 31:
Ill Helt care, du can tak on.(viii) Cai. 1869 M. Maclennan Peasant Life 111:
“If ye com', ye'll jist be lik' Mary, mistress o' ma hale bit plaicie.” “Tak' on till him for sure,” said Kate.(ix) Abd.²⁷ 1929:
We were fair taen on wi the aul man. We took on gran wi him.Ags. 1948 J. C. Rodger Mary Ann 22:
Lizzie wiz affa tein on wi' the heich cliffs and a' that.m.Sc. 1958 Burns Chronicle 61:
“Did they seem quite happy about it?” “Fair ta'en on wi' themsels.”Gsw. 1972 Molly Weir Best Foot Forward (1974) 25:
'...Mind you, it's nine years since she had Ella, and she's fairly taken on wi' hersel'.'Edb. 1993:
I'm fair taen on wi him. wm.Sc. 2000 Liz Lochhead Medea 40:
still by her own
silvered beauty in the glass
stared smiling totally taen on wi hersel
as why should she no be? (11) (i) Sc. 1972:
This year I'm taking out Latin, Maths. and Logic.(ii) Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 125:
Tak out your glass, or I'll cast out wi' ye.Ags. 1822 A. Balfour Farmers' Three Daughters 201:
A glass being filled out for the stranger, he just tasted. “Nay, nay,” cried Eppie, “ye maun tak' it out.”Gsw. 1898 D. Willox Poems 207:
I aye like tae tak' oot ma first dram.Abd. 1905 G. Horne Forgue 11:
Tak' it out, it's guid Glendronach.Abd. 1970:
Tak your tea out and I'll fill your cup up again.(iii) Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Parings (1873) 31:
Ye never saw sic trash; We tak it out frae R- M-.(iv) e.Lth. 1895 J. Hunter J. Inwick 200:
Ye needna tak it ill oot; faithfu', ye ken, are the woun's o' a frien'.(13) (i) Sh. 1952 Robertson and Graham Sh. Grammar 31:
He was taen till fae Barnisdale an doon.(ii) (a) Ags. 1827 Justiciary Reports (1829) 96:
If she was not [a whore], she need not take any thing to her.ne.Sc. 1890 Gregor MSS.:
Them it hiz lang noses is aye tackin t' them.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick v.:
Thinkin tae gar 'im tak tull 'imsel for nae stannin up tull't.Abd. 1972:
He took til him that he had never lookit near his folk fan his help was sairest note. Tak that til ye, my man, an dinna come back here onie mair.(b) Abd. 1877 G. MacDonald Marquis of Lossie III. ix.:
“Tak the door to ye, Mistress Crathie,” indicating which side he wished it closed from.(iii) Sh. 1897 Shetland News (15 May):
Shü hed twise to tak till her afore shü wan till her feet.(iv) (a) Sc. 1925 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 278:
Tak the door tae cannily ahint ye when ye gang oot.Abd. 1928 A. Black Three Sc. Sketckes 49:
Tak' tee the door ahin' ye fin ye gang oot.(v) Sh. 1900 Shetland News (10 Feb.):
Doo niver took dee till ta pit a handle ta da bit o' fleeter.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He does no tak him till de wark.(14) (i) Sc. 1833 Quarterly Jnl. Agric. IV. 359:
Some people place three mowers in a band, and in this case there will, of course, be three takers-up and three bandsters.(ii) Abd. 1755 in M. Patrick Sc. Psalmody (1949) 155:
To take up with an extraordinary exertion of voice, a different tune.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
He tuke up the psalm in the kirk.Ork. 1940 A. W. Johnston Church in Ork. 71:
The usual expressions for leading the Psalmody are “to take up” and “let gae.”(iii) Abd. 1782 Ellis E.E.P. V. 773:
Fat did ye mean by takin up your fit and giein me i the shins?(iv) Sh. 1952 Robertson and Graham Sh. Grammar 32:
Shö took up da bairns whin da midder deed.(vi) Gall. 1700 Session Bk. Penninghame (1933) I. 50:
The school is to be taken up the next week.Wgt. 1746 Session Bk. Glasserton MS. (8 Nov.):
He is to take the school up at Upper Arsak or in Arbrak.Fif. 1865 St Andrews Gazette (7 Jan.):
On Wednesday our schools took up.(vii) Sc. 1825 Jam.:
He's a clever lad; he taks you up in a moment.Sc. 1838 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 55:
Ye had juist taen up the tale wrang.m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 260:
Baith you and me, mem, hae been alike in takin't up.Sc. 1867 N. Macleod Starling v.:
I do not take you up, sir.Abd., Per. 1972:
Na, na, ye've teen me up wrang.(viii) Per. 1896 I. Maclaren Auld Lang Syne 123:
The fouk are awfu' ta'en up aboot Peter.Gsw. 1898 D. Willox Poems 72:
The mair I think o' this matter the mair I'm taen up wi't.Ags. 1926 J. M. Smith Puir Man's Pride 25:
There's a puir lad come into the Mission the day, an' I'm awfu' ta'en-up about him.Edb. 1938 Fred Urquhart Time Will Knit (1988) 94:
Grace and Bella were fair taken up with Meg's new clothes,... Arg. 1951:
He's no much takken up wi' the new minister.Abd. 1972:
It turned out a gran evenin and the aul man was fair teen up wi himsel.Abd. 1991 Douglas Kynoch in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 87:
Urania was scuttrin
Wi some ferlie in the skies;
An Clio was teen up wi
A historical treatise. Edb. 1999:
Fair taen up wi the new bairn.(ix) Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 38, 133:
Hid teuk ap richt on his knee been. . . His heid teuk ap on the back steen.Sh. 1947 New Shetlander No. 4. 2:
It's a mercy your face did not take up yon steen.(x) Ags. 1878 J. S. Neish Reminisc. Brechin 29:
The poor simple-minded woman had some such hopes of her lodger “takin' up himsel.”Per. 1883 R. Cleland Inchbracken xxx.:
Gin ye dinna tak yersel' up, she'll ne'er be yours ava!(xi) Sc. 1850 Tait's Mag. XVII. 13:
The expense of taking up house.Sc. 1876 S. Smiles Sc. Naturalist i.:
John Edward and his wife “took up house” in the Green.(15) (i) Lnk. 1873 A. G. Murdoch Doric Lyre 53:
It took upon her hameart heart, An' she begoud to spew.(ii) Abd. 1877 G. MacDonald M. of Lossie xv.:
There's fowks 'at it sets weel to tak upo' them!(16) (i) Gall. 1704 Session Bk. Minnigaff (1939) 128:
If he would take with guilt the child would be fathered on him.Rxb. 1730 Melrose Parish Reg. (S.R.S.) 173:
Desiring that Charles Wilkison may take with the child she brought furth.Sc. 1775 Boswell Ominous Years (Pottle 1963) 115:
Smith himself would not take now with his having been formerly low-spirited.Abd. 1794 Session Papers, Presb. Garioch v. Shepherd (App.) 5:
He should take with Margaret Farquharson's child, or acknowledge it to be his own.Ayr. 1818 Kilmarnock Mirror 111:
The things ta'en wi, — and fok hae set their heads thegither to put a stop till't.Abd. 1871 R. Matheson Poems 112:
He took wi' mair than a' his fauts, an' sae Got less than half the licks.Knr. 1894 H. Haliburton Furth in Field 85:
“Will ye tak' wi't then?” asked the keeper.ne.Sc. 1914 G. Greig Folk-Song cxxxviii.:
I wis krysnt John, an' tho' I wid tak' wi' Jock, Johnny wis a name I widna stan' fae unco folk.(ii) Wgt. 1708 Session Rec. Kirkinner MS. (25 April):
Alexander Gullen was taken with drink att his own house.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 222:
When our Companions, beginning to take with the Drink, begin to speak Latin.(iii) Sh. 1915 Shetland News (21 Oct.):
We were weel taen wi an invited in ta da hus.Sh. 1971 New Shetlander No. 56. 14:
Having been so well “teen wi”, they stayed for a week or so longer than planned.(iv) Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxvi.:
We've been sae taen wi' Captain Hector's wound up by.(v) Rs. 1916:
The ither man said “Tak wi thu, Wullie man.”(vi) (a) Sc. 1755 J. Fleming Robert Adam (1962) 142:
He drinks nothing but wine and eats more in a day than he used to do in a week and is turned very fat. He'll take but caukly [sic for cauldly] we hame again.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xvi.:
It will be very ill taen wi abune stairs.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
“How does the laddie like the wark?” “He took very ill wi't at first.” I didna tak wi' him.Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 609:
In a little time she [ewe] will take with both [lambs].Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 19:
The captain was rale taen wi' Sandy.Slg. 1896 W. Harvey Kennethcrook 238:
Ye'll tak ill wi't for a wee while.Abd. 1929 P. Grey Ravelled Yarn 23:
Bit fat gin the lassie disna' tak' wi' me efter she comes oot?(b) Dmf. 1778 Dmf. Weekly Jnl. (6 Oct.):
They [young trees for planting] come of a cold soil, so that they will take with any ground.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
It is said that corn has not tane wi', when it has not sprung up.(vii) Sc. 1822 Galt Steamboat 347:
The kill took low, and the mill likewise took wi't.

2. Phrs.: (1) tak'-a', n., a school attendance officer, a whipper-in (‡Abd. 1972); (2) tak-bannets, a game (see quot.); (3) tak it, — me, etc., used imprecatively as a curtailed form of deil tak. . . . Hence used as a n. in neg. expressions = “not a blessed thing.” Cf. Haet, 3.; (4) to take band, in Building: to insert bondstones of a new wall into the face of an adjoining building, to tooth; of lime: to set, become firm, take a grip of the stonework; (5) to take ill, — nae weel, to fall ill (Abd. 1972); (6) to take one's death, to get one's death, to die (Sh., Abd., Ags. 1972); (7) to tak one's fun aff, to poke fun at, make a fool of, scoff at; (8) to tak one's hand aff, to slap, smack (Abd. 1972); (9) to tak one's legs, — the leg, to rise to one's feet, stand up. See also Leg; (10) to tak one's wag aff, = (7); (11) to tak on hand, followed by the inf.: to undertake, engage oneself. Gen.Sc. Now only dial. in Eng.; (12) to tak or meddle in, to interfere in, to take a (meddlesome) interest in, poss. a mistake for mak (see Mak, v., 11.; (13) to tak speech in hand, see Speech, 2.; (14) to tak the better o', to cheat, outsmart; (15) to tak the beuk(s), tak beuk, to read from the Bible, esp. at family worship; (16) to tak the length o', to stretch (someone) out at full length, to make (someone) measure his length on the ground, to knock down; (17) to tak the door after or ahint oneself, — on one's back, — ower one's heid, — wi' oneself, to leave a room, closing the door behind one (n., em.Sc.(a), wm.Sc., Dmf. 1972). See Door, n.¹, 3.; (18) to tak till one's een, to burst into tears (Sh. 1952 Robertson and Graham Sh. Grammar 32); (19) weel tane-out, invited out frequently, well-entertained, popular, of one whose company is much sought after (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Other phrs. with Tak are dealt with under the significant word in the phr.(1) Abd. 1920 G. P. Dunbar Peat Reek 46:
He wis nabbit by the Tak'-a'.Bnff. 1925 W. Barclay Schools Bnff. 94:
The new headmaster and his “Tak' a'” hurrying up Seafield Street with a truant in each hand.Abd. 1960 Abd. Press and Journal (16 June):
The Tak' a' — the nickname given to school attendance officers about three decades ago.(2) Knr. 1825 Jam.:
A game in which wads or pledges are deposited on both sides, which are generally bonnets; and the gaining party is that which carries off, one by one, all the wads belonging to that opposed to it.(3) Ags. 1857 A. Douglas Ferryden 120:
Tak' me, 'oman, fat sort o' beer is this?Sh. 1951:
“What's du been döin da day?” “No a tak-it!”(4) Abd. 1821 Session Cases (1869–70) 494:
The coterminous proprietor or feuar shall be entitled to take band in the same.Fif. 1870 St Andrews Gazette (29 Jan.):
The keen frost which has prevailed for some time past may have been the means of keeping the lime from taking band.(5) Sc. 1838 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 18:
About this time I took ill.Ags. 1898 A. H. Rea Divot Dyke 81:
It's fifty years noo sin' my father took ill.(6) Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS. xxi.:
I had been hame only some ooks fan he took's death.(7) Wgt. 1878 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 58:
He determined to take his fun off him.Ayr. 1896 G. Umber Idylls 69:
The daft jaud did naething but geck and tak her fun aff the blate Willie.(8) Abd. 1931 A. Black Charwoman 12:
I'll tak' my haun aff the side o' his heid.Gsw. 1947 H. W. Pryde 1st Bk. McFlannels 5:
Don't you be cheeky! or Ah'll take me haun' offa your jaw.(9) Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 123:
Be sure that ye be kin' to Megg, An' help her seen to tak' the leg.Mry. 1830 Lintie o' Moray (1887) 44:
And sure I am you'll no be laith To tak' your legs — And to their healths a bumper gie.(10) Lnk. 1904 I. F. Darling Songs 115:
[He] could brawly aff ye tak' his wag, And ca' yer haivers nocht but leein'.(11) e.Lth. 1895 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick 205:
I'll tak on han' to tell ye what your poseetion is.Abd. 1970:
The jiner took on han tae sort it.(12) Abd. 1884 D. Grant Keckleton 77:
It has never been my custom to tak' or meddle in your business.(14) Lnk. 1895 W. C. Fraser Whaups 177:
Ta'en the better o' a' thegither by a perfect even-doon scoun'ril.(15) Dmf. 1810 R. Cromek Remains 21:
The Beuk maun be taen whan the carle comes hame.Lnk. 1893 J. Crawford Verses 36:
Like ither douce folk she took beuk ilka nicht.Kcb. 1901 Crockett Love Idylls 308:
Had I bidden more at home o' nights and ever been at the “taking of the Book.”Mry. 1937 I. Cameron Folk of the Glen v.:
“Taking the Books,” which is what we call “Family Worship.”Per. 1965 Perthshire Advert. (11 Aug.) 9:
Before breakfast he always “took the Book.”(16) Slg. 1901 R. Buchanan Poems 36:
He'll tak their length wi' broken croon Upon the sod.(17) Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 19:
To tak' the door with one.Sc. 1811 Edb. Annual Reg. lxxiv.:
Take the door after you.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 70:
He wis blyde ta tak da door ower his head as fast as he cud.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Bog-Myrtle 202:
Taking the door after him as far as it would go with a flaff.Ayr. 1901 G. Douglas Green Shutters v.:
I just telled Gourlay what I thocht of him, and took the door ahint me.

3. tr. To catch on or trip (one's foot), also of the foot, etc.: to strike against, be caught on or tripped by, collide with (ne.Sc., em.Sc.(a), w.Lth., wm.Sc. 1972).Sc. 18th c. Merry Muses (1911) 79:
The plough she took a stane, jo, Which gart the fire flee frae the stock.Lnk. 1808 W. Watson Poems (1877) 31:
For fear my fit wad tak' a stane.Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 10:
A hillock took her fit, an' gart her fa'.Per. 1858 People's Journal (11 Sept.) 3:
Something took his foot, and he fell down across the rails.Lnk. 1883 W. Thomson Leddy May 138:
Ma fute took the mat An' awa' I gaed sprauchlin'.

4. tr. (1) to affect (a part or function of the body), to take effect on, seize, arrest, cast a spell on, of pain, illness, emotion, magic, etc. Obsol. in Eng. Phrs. to take one's breath or wind, to choke (Sh., Ags., Per., Kcb. 1972), fig. “to stick in one's throat” (Sc. 1905 E.D.D., -wind); to take one's head, to go to one's head, make one giddy (Per. 1972). Gsw. 1863 St Andrews Gazette (11 July):
The effect of laudanum upon her had always been to take her head and make her delirious.Mry. 1865 W. H. Tester Poems 141:
The thocht o' his wraith, amaist took my breath.Per. 1881 D. Macara Crieff 109:
The drink's surely takin' his head noo.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (29 Jan.):
Ta tink ipun it tak's mi breth, Da nesty snüls.

Freq. in ppl.adj. taen(-like), affected with some emotion, esp. surprise or embarrassment, put out, disconcerted (Slg., wm.Sc. 1972); spell-bound, bewitched.Sc. 1827 Scott Two Drovers i.:
Highland cattle are peculiarly liable to be taken, or infected, by spells and witchcraft.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin iii.:
My faither, lookin' unco ta'en-like.Rnf. 1877 J. Neilson Poems 50:
Robin seem'd taen an ne'er spak' a word.Edb. 1895 J. Tweeddale Moff 141:
Ye wad observe hoo ta'en like he was when Miss McLatchy's name came up.Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 330:
“Oh, Johnnie,” says she, rather taen-like, “ye've been an awfu stranger.”Gsw. 1904 H. Foulis Erchie xvi.:
He was that ta'en he nearly dropped the gless.Lnk. 1910 C. Fraser Glengonnar 104:
She lookit awfu' ta'en-like when Davie cried oot before he got up to the well.Cai. 1921 Old-Lore Misc. IX. i. 18:
Animals were subject to three particular forms of disease, “forespoken,” “elfshot,” or “ta'en by the fairies.”

(2) To catch, suffer from (an illness etc). Gsw. 1985 Michael Munro The Patter 68:
take To be afflicted by, as in take a bad back, take a bad turn, take a heart attack, and so on. By analogy, I suppose, with to take in washing, someone paid to clean ther people's stairs in a tenement is said to take in stairs.Gsw. 1987 Peter Mason C'mon Geeze Yer Patter! 21:
Ah think a've ta'en the measles aff the wean. I think I've contracted measles from my child.

5. tr. Of water in which one is immersed: to come as far on (a person) as, reach (up) to (a certain height) on one. Gen.Sc. Obs. in Eng.Ayr. 1776 Session Papers, Fergusson v. Earl of Cassillis (17 Oct.) 1:
He found as much water as took him over the shoe-mouth.Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxx.:
Mountain torrents, some of which took the soldiers up to the knees.Edb. 1866 J. Inglis Poems 181:
[A] bog wad tak ane tae the spald.Wgt. 1878 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 15:
The sea took him abune the knees.Sc. 1910 N.E.D.:
A deep hole there, that will take a man over the head.ne.Sc. 1970:
If ye fa in there, it'll tak ye tae your oxters.

6. refl. To check oneself, to pull oneself up from saying or doing something which one might later regret, catch or interrupt oneself (ne.Sc. 1972). Obs. in Eng.Sc. 1767 Boswell In Search of a Wife (Pottle 1957) 40:
I said I was unworthy of any other favour. But I took myself. I gloried that I had ever been firmly constant to her while I was myself.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 31:
When hunger now was slaked a little wee, She taks hersell and aff again she'll be.Sc. 1774 Boswell Ominous Years (Pottle 1963) 46:
I took myself, and considered it was below me to mind.Abd. 1970:
I was juist on the point o sayin't, fan I min't fa he wis, and I took mysel.

7. tr. To marry, to take in marriage, despite 1889 quot. freq. of a woman accepting a proposal. Gen.Sc. Now only dial. in Eng.Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 73:
Gin ye winna take me, I can let ye be.Sc. 1771 Smollett Humphrey Clinker Melford to Philips 18 July:
A young lady who agreed to take me for better or worse.Ayr. 1789 Burns Tam Glen v.:
But if it's ordain'd I maun take him, O, wha will I get but Tam Glen?Sc. 1831 S. Ferrier Destiny I. iv.:
She was not to be called his wife any more, for that he was going to take Edith.Ags. 1889 Barrie W. in Thrums iii.:
“Who did Tibbie get?” I asked; for in Thrums they say, “Wha did she get?” and “Wha did he tak?”Mry. 1898 J. Slater Seaside Idylls 11:
“Are ye gaun tae tak's?” said Jock, all of a sudden.Edb. 1900 E. H. Strain Elmslie's Drag-Net 10:
A lass o' twenty might do waur than tak John Jamieson at thirty-five.Sh. 1968 New Shetlander No. 84. 16:
I wis hed me a tryst keepin clear o her afore I took Maggie.

8. tr. To lease, take on lease (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Gen.Sc.; to take over (a crop) for the grazing of livestock (ne.Sc., Per. 1972). Obs. in Eng. exc. in regard to a house.Abd. 1879 A. F. Murison Memoirs (1935) 209:
One of this farms was taken by my grandfather.Per. 1896 I. Maclaren Auld Lang Syne 67:
The gudewife keeps ae coo; she'll be taking a pendicle.e.Lth. 1905 J. Lumsden Croonings 264:
Gin fule folk teuk ferms for lang leases.Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 20:
We've taen a craft wi' ae coo's maet.Abd. 1959 Huntly Express (20 Nov.) 2:
Robert McIntosh, “took” thirty-eight acres of grass for £19.

9. tr. To register or lodge (an objection or protest) formally, in phrs. to take Instrument, take protest.Sc. 1759 W. Robertson Charles V III. 221:
Protest and counter-protests were taken.Abd. 1796 Session Papers, Leslie v. Fraser (29 March 1805) 221:
A tree was pulled up, a bit of turf removed from the dyke, and a protest taken.

10. tr. To require or accept (an obligation, promise or the like) in a formal matter from, to bind (someone), in phrs. to take someone bound, engaged, sworn. Obs. in Eng.Sc. a.1714 Earls Crm. (Fraser 1876) II. 481:
He released them both, tacking them bound by oath and honour never to molest him nor his.Gall. 1717 Session Bk. Penninghame (1933) I. 390:
Haveing declared he had no objection and being about to be taken sworn.Sc. 1778 A. Wight Husbandry II. 491:
I took Mr. Meikle engaged to transmit to me the result of the trial.Rxb. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XI. 328:
Cottagers are taken bound to weed turnips.Per. 1807 Farmer's Mag. (Nov.) 443:
The tenant taken bound to keep them in repair.

11. tr. To require the utmost strength and effort from, to exert, put the fullest strain on, make the greatest demands on (Fif. 1972), freq. also in phr. to take (one) all one's time, see Time. Gen.Sc.Ags. 1833 J. S. Sands Poems 87:
It'll tak's, I'm sure, to get them partit.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xxx.:
It tane me to stand an' behaud the twa o' them.Per. 1897 C. M. Stuart Sandy Scott's Bible Class 12:
It just takes me no to run round the town.Fif. 1920:
It'll tak ye to jump thon burn.

12. tr. To betake oneself to, to make for, resort to. Special phrs. to tak the fit, of a young child: to begin to walk, to tak the air or lift, of frost: to rise, dissipate (I.Sc., Cai. 1972), to tak the floor, to commence to dance, to tak the sands, to take to flight. See Sand.Ayr. 1785 Burns Ep. to W. Simpson xxvi.:
Faith, the youngsters took the sands Wi' nimble shanks.Lnk. 1805 G. McIndoe Poems 40:
He begins to tak the fit, Burning his hands, and getting clyties.Sc. 1809 J. Grahame Brit. Georgics 273:
It is a common saying among country people, that when the frost taks the lift there will be bad weather.Slk. 1810 Hogg Poems (1874) 417:
Poor Harry's ta'en the bed for't.Lnk. 1870 J. Nicholson Idylls 61:
The chitterin' birdies patient wait To see you tak' the air, John [Frost].Lnk. 1884 J. Nicholson Willie Waugh 105:
Fell'd sick, she lay obleag'd to tak' her bed.Abd. 1889 W. Allan Sprays 28:
My auld father's fiddle wad gar's tak' the floor.Kcb. 1890 A. Armstrong Ingleside 216:
When at Can'lemas he took the floor He tripped to the lilt o' the chanter.Sc. 1931 J. Lorimer Red Sergeant xv.:
It's a guid thing for a mending man tae tak' the hill.

13. tr. To acknowledge, admit, esp. of paternity. Cf. tak wi s.v. 1. (16) (i).Wgt. 1878 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 224:
He wouldn't believe the wean was his, and wouldn't take it when it was born.

14. tr. (1) As in Eng., to understand, apprehend. Vbl.n. takin, one's way of thinking, opinion, estimation ((Kcb. 1972). Obs. in Eng.Abd. 1867 St Andrews Gaz. (30 March):
To my takin' the country would look bare and dead like.

(2) In Sh. usage with dependent clause: to suppose, assume as a fact, = Eng. “to take it (that) . . .” (Sh. 1972). Cf. Norw. dial. taka, id.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 119:
I tak dir been twa hunder An anidder hunder more!Sh. 1964 Nordern Lichts 10:
I takk at if I bedd athin dis spot, Shörly content an paece I here wid fin.

15. intr. To partake of food. Imper. phr. be takkan, eat heartily (Cai. 1972).Abd. 1879 G. MacDonald Sir Gibbie xi.:
Sit ye doon, an' tak.

16. intr. To catch fire (I., n.Sc., em.Sc.(a) Lnk., Dmf. 1972). Rare or obs. in Eng.; hence to burn brightly, blaze, gleam, glow like fire (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.). Ppl.adj. takin, flashing, shining brightly, freq. of the eyes (Cai. 1972).Cai. 1940 John o' Groat Jnl. (26 April):
He was fair hyfey; his e'en wis tackan' sair.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xxvi.:
Gin 'ey'd latten't [burning candle] amo' the strae an' it hid teen.Cai. 1966:
'E stars are aa takin. She hes takin een.

II. n. Also tack, takk.

1. An act of seizing, a capture, catch; ease in catching. Phr. to be on the tak, of fish: to rise readily to the bait. Gen.Sc.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
De'r ne tak upon her da nicht.Lnk. 1922 T. S. Cairncross Scot at Hame 68:
Oh! the heckle fa's like licht And the fish are on the tak'.

2. What has been taken or captured: (1) in gen., a captive, prize.Ork. 1929 Old-Lore Misc. IX. ii. 76:
Ald Tangie gaed da beuk till 'is neou tak', wha fae dat oor fill da end o' ' is days he'd bit tae wiss for a ting tae be deun, an' deun id waas i' a wheep.

(2) specif. a catch or haul of fish (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 422; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 231; Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928); n., em.Sc.(a), wm.Sc. 1972), occas. of other animals. Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1707 J. Frazer Second Sight Pref.:
Having a good Tack of Herring.Crm. 1728 Caled. Mercury (30 Aug.):
The best take of Herring we have had.Dmf. 1773 Dmf. Weekly Mag. (10 Aug.) 288:
There is just now a fine tack of herrings near the coast of the Isle of Man.Sc. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ III. 579:
Loch Errioboll sometimes affords a small tack of herrings.Ags. 1857 A. Douglas Ferryden 9:
When the boats showed their largest takes, their reply to every interrogatory on the subject was “Weel, there's pucklies.”Per. 1881 D. Macara Crieff 82:
They went round the snares and found a good “take” [of hares].Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xv.:
We had a grand take, I mind, and the way that the fish lay broucht us near in by the Bass.Sh. 1968 New Shetlander No. 84. 17:
Dey wir a braa tak o fysh.

3. A grip (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.); a catch on a door, etc., a lock (Sh. 1972).

4. A companion of the opposite sex in a flirtation (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., take).

5. A state of excitement, mental confusion, rage, grief or the like, agitation (Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 231; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; s.Sc. 1972), a mood of any kind (Abd. 1949).Sc. 1896 L. Keith Indian Uncle iv.:
The auld leddy was in an unco take when he gaed awa'.

6. A state of growth, the sprouting of a crop, vegetation (n.Sc., em.Sc.(b), Rxb. 1972).Mry. 1954 Bulletin (17 Aug.) 4:
They can mention that so and so's new grass is that poor a take you could see a flea running across it.

7. “A situation” (Ork. 1905 E.D.D.).