Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Taking
Tak′ing (tāk′ĭng), a. 1. Apt to take; alluring; attracting.
Subtile in making his temptations most taking. Fuller.
2. Infectious; contageous. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
— Tak′ing·ly, adv. — Tak′ing·ness, n.
Tak′ing, n. 1. The act of gaining possession; a seizing; seizure; apprehension.
2. Agitation; excitement; distress of mind. [Colloq.]
What a taking was he in, when your husband asked who was in the basket! Shak.
3. Malign influence; infection. [Obs.] Shak.