to make at

Make \Make\ (m[=a]k), v. i.
   1. To act in a certain manner; to have to do; to manage; to
      interfere; to be active; -- often in the phrase to meddle
      or make. [Obs.]
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            A scurvy, jack-a-nape priest to meddle or make.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. To proceed; to tend; to move; to go; as, he made toward
      home; the tiger made at the sportsmen.
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   Note: Formerly, authors used to make on, to make forth, to
         make about; but these phrases are obsolete. We now say,
         to make at, to make away, to make for, to make off, to
         make toward, etc.
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   3. To tend; to contribute; to have effect; -- with for or
      against; as, it makes for his advantage. --M. Arnold.
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            Follow after the things which make for peace. --Rom.
                                                  xiv. 19.
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            Considerations infinite
            Do make against it.                   --Shak.
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   4. To increase; to augment; to accrue.
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   5. To compose verses; to write poetry; to versify. [Archaic]
      --Chaucer. Tennyson.
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            To solace him some time, as I do when I make. --P.
                                                  Plowman.
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   {To make as if}, or {To make as though}, to pretend that; to
      make show that; to make believe (see under {Make}, v. t.).
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            Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten
            before them, and fled.                --Josh. viii.
                                                  15.
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            My lord of London maketh as though he were greatly
            displeased with me.                   --Latimer.
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   {To make at}, to go toward hastily, or in a hostile manner;
      to attack.

   {To make away with}.
      (a) To carry off.
      (b) To transfer or alienate; hence, to spend; to
          dissipate.
      (c) To kill; to destroy.

   {To make off}, to go away suddenly.

   {To make out}, to succeed; to manage oneself; to be able at
      last; to make shift; as, he made out to reconcile the
      contending parties; after the earthquake they made out all
      right.
      (b) to engage in fond caresses; to hug and kiss; to neck;
          -- of courting couples or individuals (for
          individuals, used with with); as, they made out on a
          bench in the park; he was making out with the waitress
          in the kitchen [informal]

   {To make up}, to become reconciled or friendly.

   {To make up for}, to compensate for; to supply an equivalent
      for.

   {To make up to}.
      (a) To approach; as, a suspicious boat made up to us.
      (b) To pay addresses to; to make love to.

   {To make up with}, to become reconciled to. [Colloq.]

   {To make with}, to concur or agree with. --Hooker.
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