The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Participate \Par*tic"i*pate\, a. [L. participatus, p. p. of
   participare to participate; pars, partis, part + capere to
   take. See Part, and Capacious.]
   Acting in common; participating. [R.] --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Participate \Par*tic"i*pate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   Participated; p. pr. & vb. n. Participating.]
   To have a share in common with others; to take a part; to
   play a role; to partake; -- followed by in, formerly by of;
   as, to participate in a debate; to participate in a
   discussion. --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

         So would he participate of their wants.  --Hayward.
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         Mine may come when men
         With angels may participate.             --Milton.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Participate \Par*tic"i*pate\, v. t.
   1. To partake of; to share in; to receive a part of. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Fit to participate all rational delight. --Milton.
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   2. To impart, or give, or share of. [Obs.] --Drayton.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

participate
    v 1: share in something [syn: participate, take part]
    2: become a participant; be involved in; "enter a race"; "enter
       an agreement"; "enter a drug treatment program"; "enter
       negotiations" [syn: enter, participate] [ant: chuck up
       the sponge, drop by the wayside, drop out, fall by the
       wayside, give up, quit, throw in, throw in the
       towel]