Takes on or assumes (6)
I believe the answer is:
adopts
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">I believe this clue is a double definition.<br/ ><br/ >'<span class="explanation-format__original">takes on</span>' is the first definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('adopt' can be a synonym of 'take on')</span><br/ ><br/ >'<span class="explanation-format__original">assumes</span>' is the second definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('adopt' can be a synonym of 'assume')</span><br/ ><br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for adopts that I've seen before include "Takes as one's own, say child" , "Takes or uses as one's own" , "Legally takes on (child)" , "Takes into one's family legally" , "Takes as heir or representative" .)