Main Entry: take on

Function: verb

Date: 15th century

transitive verb

1 a : to begin to perform or deal with : undertake <took on new responsibilities> b : to contend with as an opponent <took on the neighborhood bully>
2 : engage, hire
3 a : to assume or acquire as or as if one's own <the city's plaza takes on a carnival air — W. T. LeViness> b : to have as a mathematical domain or range <what values does the function take on>intransitive verb : to show one's feelings especially of grief or anger in a demonstrative way <she cried, and took on like a distracted body — Daniel Defoe>