transitive. To deal with, treat, handle (a subject, question, etc.). Obsolete.

transitive. To take in hand, proceed to deal with, tackle. Obsolete.

intransitive. To enter on or take up (a subject) for discussion. Also: to begin, undertake (an action). Obsolete.

transitive. To proceed to deal with practically; to treat in a particular way; to take in hand, to tackle. Now frequently with it and adverb or…

intransitive. To busy oneself with; to set to work on, deal with; to continue or carry on with. Also in early use: †to seek after (obsolete).

= to set about at phrasal verbs 2. Obsolete.

intransitive. With preposition (now usually to). To set about or apply oneself to a task or activity. to fall to work: see phrases 1c.

Followed by to: to apply oneself to, set to work at, take up as an occupation. Frequently in such expressions as they can turn their hands to anything…

to take to task: †(a) to undertake as one's task or special piece of work; †(b) to challenge (a person) to a task; †(c) to take (a person or thing)…

colloquial. To grapple with, to try to deal with (a task, a difficulty, etc.); to try to solve (a problem). Also transferred.

transitive. To undertake; to begin to handle or deal with; to tackle. Also: to assume responsibility for.