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What is the difference between participate and partake?

participate | partake |

In intransitive terms the difference between participate and partake

is that participate is to join in, to take part, to involve oneself ({{term|in}} something) while partake is to take a share or portion (of).

As an adjective participate

is acting in common; participating.

participate

English

Verb

(participat)
  • To join in, to take part, to involve oneself ((in) something).
  • (obsolete) To share, share in (something).
  • * 1638 , , Some Yeares Travels , I:
    • they seldome feed together, lest they might participate one anothers impurity: each has his owne cup [...].
  • (obsolete) To share (something) (with) others; to transfer (something) (to) or (unto) others.
  • * 1662 , Thomas Salusbury, Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Systems of the World , II:
    • Make the Earth [...] turn round its own axis in twenty four hours, and towards the same point with all the other Spheres; and without participating this same motion to any other Planet or Star.

    Related terms

    * participant * participation * participative * participator * participatory * participial * participle

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Acting in common; participating.
  • * 1608 , , I. i. 101:
    • And, mutually participate , did minister / Unto the appetite and affection common / Of the whole body.

    External links

    * * * ----

    partake

    English

    Verb

  • (formal) To take part in an activity; to participate.
  • * John Locke
    • Brutes partake in this faculty.
  • To take a share or portion (of).
    • Will you partake of some food?
  • (obsolete) To have something of the properties, character, or office (of).
  • * Francis Bacon
    • The attorney of the Duchy of Lancaster partakes partly of a judge, and partly of an attorney-general.