take in

1.  Admit, receive as a guest or employee, as in They offered to take in two of the orphaned children. [First half of 1500s]
2.  Reduce in size, make smaller or shorter, as in I've lost some weight so I'll have to take in my clothes. [Early 1500s]
3.  Include or constitute, as in This list takes in all the members, past and present. [Mid-1600s]
4.  Understand, as in I couldn't take in all that French dialogue in the movie. [Second half of 1600s]
5.  Deceive, swindle, as in That alleged fundraiser took me in completely. [First half of 1700s]
6.  Look at thoroughly, as in We want to take in all the sights. [First half of 1700s]
7.  Accept work to be done at home, as in His grandmother took in washing to support her children. [First half of 1800s]
8.  Receive as proceeds, as in We had a good audience; how much did we take in? [Late 1800s] Also see the following entries beginning with take in.

Definition: understand
Antonyms: misconceive, misunderstand

The verb has 17 meanings:

Meaning #1: provide with shelter

Meaning #2: fool or hoax
  Synonyms: gull, dupe, slang, befool, cod, fool, put on, put one over, put one across

Meaning #3: suck or take up or in
  Synonym: absorb

Meaning #4: visit for entertainment

Meaning #5: call for and obtain payment of
  Synonym: collect

Meaning #6: see or watch
  Synonyms: watch, view, see, catch

Meaning #7: express willingness to have in one's home or environs
  Synonyms: receive, invite

Meaning #8: fold up, of sails
  Synonym: gather in

Meaning #9: take up, as of knowledge or beliefs
  Synonyms: absorb, assimilate, ingest

Meaning #10: earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
  Synonyms: gain, clear, make, earn, realize, realise, pull in, bring in

Meaning #11: hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
  Synonyms: catch, overhear

Meaning #12: accept
  Synonym: take up

Meaning #13: take in, also metaphorically
  Synonyms: absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck up, draw, take up

Meaning #14: take up as if with a sponge
  Synonyms: sop up, suck in, take up

Meaning #15: serve oneself to, or consume regularly
  Synonyms: consume, ingest, take, have

Meaning #16: take into one's family
  Synonym: adopt

Meaning #17: make (clothes) smaller
  Antonym: let out (meaning #4)