To take sides

Side Side (s[imac]d), n. [AS. s[=i]de; akin to D. zijde, G. seite, OHG. s[=i]ta, Icel. s[=i]?a, Dan. side, Sw. sida; cf. AS. s[=i]d large, spacious, Icel. s[=i]?r long, hanging.] 1. The margin, edge, verge, or border of a surface; especially (when the thing spoken of is somewhat oblong in shape), one of the longer edges as distinguished from the shorter edges, called ends; a bounding line of a geometrical figure; as, the side of a field, of a square or triangle, of a river, of a road, etc. [1913 Webster]

3. Any outer portion of a thing considered apart from, and yet in relation to, the rest; as, the upper side of a sphere; also, any part or position viewed as opposite to or contrasted with another; as, this or that side. [1913 Webster]

Looking round on every side beheld A pathless desert. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

4. (a) One of the halves of the body, of an animals or man, on either side of the mesial plane; or that which pertains to such a half; as, a side of beef; a side of sole leather. (b) The right or left part of the wall or trunk of the body; as, a pain in the side. [1913 Webster]

One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side. --John xix. 34. [1913 Webster]

5. A slope or declivity, as of a hill, considered as opposed to another slope over the ridge. [1913 Webster]

Along the side of yon small hill. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

6. The position of a person or party regarded as opposed to another person or party, whether as a rival or a foe; a body of advocates or partisans; a party; hence, the interest or cause which one maintains against another; a doctrine or view opposed to another. [1913 Webster]

God on our side, doubt not of victory. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

We have not always been of the . . . same side in politics. --Landor. [1913 Webster]

Sets the passions on the side of truth. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

7. A line of descent traced through one parent as distinguished from that traced through another. [1913 Webster]

To sit upon thy father David's throne, By mother's side thy father. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

8. Fig.: Aspect or part regarded as contrasted with some other; as, the bright side of poverty. [1913 Webster]

{By the side of}, close at hand; near to.

{Exterior side}. (Fort.) See {Exterior}, and Illust. of {Ravelin}.

{Interior side} (Fort.), the line drawn from the center of one bastion to that of the next, or the line curtain produced to the two oblique radii in front. --H. L. Scott.

{Side by side}, close together and abreast; in company or along with.

{To choose sides}, to select those who shall compete, as in a game, on either side.

{To take sides}, to attach one's self to, or give assistance to, one of two opposing sides or parties. [1913 Webster]