What is "to take place"

Place \Place\ (pl[=a]s), n. [F., fr. L. platea a street, an area, a courtyard, from Gr. platei^a a street, properly fem. of platy`s, flat, broad; akin to Skr. p[.r]thu, Lith. platus. Cf. Flawn, Piazza, Plate, Plaza.]

1. Any portion of space regarded as measured off or distinct from all other space, or appropriated to some definite object or use; position; ground; site; spot; rarely, unbounded space.

   Here is the place appointed.
   --Shak.

   What place can be for us Within heaven's bound?
   --Milton.

   The word place has sometimes a more confused sense, and stands for that space which any body takes up; and so the universe is a place.
   --Locke.

2. A broad way in a city; an open space; an area; a court or short part of a street open only at one end. ``Hangman boys in the market place.''
   --Shak.

3. A position which is occupied and held; a dwelling; a mansion; a village, town, or city; a fortified town or post; a stronghold; a region or country.

   Are you native of this place?
   --Shak.

4. Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement, dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or position; condition; also, official station; occupation; calling. ``The enervating magic of place.''
   --Hawthorne.

   Men in great place are thrice servants.
   --Bacon.

   I know my place as I would they should do theirs.
   --Shak.

5. Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead (the departure or removal of another being or thing being implied). ``In place of Lord Bassanio.''
   --Shak.

6. A definite position or passage of a document.

   The place of the scripture which he read was this.
   --Acts viii. 32.

7. Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding; as, he said in the first place.

8. Reception; effect; -- implying the making room for.

   My word hath no place in you.
   --John viii. 37.

9. (Astron.) Position in the heavens, as of a heavenly body; -- usually defined by its right ascension and declination, or by its latitude and longitude.

10. (Racing) The position of first, second, or third at the finish, esp. the second position. In betting, to win a bet on a horse for place it must, in the United States, finish first or second, in England, usually, first, second, or third. Place of arms (Mil.), a place calculated for the rendezvous of men in arms, etc., as a fort which affords a safe retreat for hospitals, magazines, etc. --Wilhelm. High place (Script.), a mount on which sacrifices were offered. ``Him that offereth in the high place.'' --Jer. xlviii. 35. In place, in proper position; timely. Out of place, inappropriate; ill-timed; as, his remarks were out of place. Place kick (Football), the act of kicking the ball after it has been placed on the ground. Place name, the name of a place or locality. --London Academy. To give place, to make room; to yield; to give way; to give advantage. ``Neither give place to the devil.'' --Eph. iv. 27. ``Let all the rest give place.'' --Shak. To have place, to have a station, room, or seat; as, such desires can have no place in a good heart. To take place.

    1. To come to pass; to occur; as, the ceremony will not take place.

    2. To take precedence or priority.
       --Addison.

    3. To take effect; to prevail. ``If your doctrine takes place.''
       --Berkeley. ``But none of these excuses would take place.''
       --Spenser.

       To take the place of, to be substituted for.

       Syn: Situation; seat; abode; position; locality; location; site; spot; office; employment; charge; function; trust; ground; room; stead.