1. a rise or leap from a surface in making a jump or flight or an ascent in an aircraft or in the launching of a rocket

2. an action of starting out

3. a rapid rise in activity, growth, or popularity
an economic takeoff

4. an imitation especially in the way of caricature

5. a spot at which one takes off

6. a starting point point of departure

7. an action of removing something

8. a mechanism for transmission of the power of an engine or vehicle to operate some other mechanism

9. remove
take your shoes off

10. to take or allow as a discount deduct
took 10 percent off

11. to spend (a period of time) away from a usual occupation or activity
took two weeks off

12. release
take the brake off

13. discontinue, withdraw
took off the morning train

14. rob

15. to start off or away often suddenly set out, depart
took off for her trip

16. to leave the surface begin flight

17. to spring into wide use or popularity

18. to branch off (as from a main stream or stem)

19. to take a point of origin

20. to begin a leap or spring

21. to embark on rapid activity, development, or growth

22. to take away detract

23. the moment when an airplane, helicopter, etc., leaves the ground and begins to fly

24. the beginning of a jump

25. a sudden increase in size, activity, or popularity

26. an act or instance of leaving the ground (as by an airplane)

27. an imitation especially to mock the original

28. a spot at which something leaves the ground