poprimati

1. to take on; to assume
   Grad polako poprima novi izgled. — The city is slowly taking on a new look.
   Sukob poprima sve ozbiljnije razmere. — The conflict is taking on ever more serious proportions.
2. (of taste, smell, colour) to absorb; to pick up
   Meso dugo stoji u marinadi i poprima ukus začina. — The meat sits in the marinade for a long time and picks up the flavour of the spices.

Usually used with abstract nouns such as oblik, izgled, razmere, karakter.