This dissertation will show how linguistic description and an Autolexical account of the bound verb root [take] shed a light on the nature of complex verb constructions in American Sign Language (ASL). This is accomplished by creating a new ASL Verb Complex Model unifying all verbs into one category of VERB. This model also accounts for a variety of ASL verb categories. Within the Autolexical Syntax framework, ASL data is shown by the interface of three modules: morphological, syntactic and semantic. Each module is laid out as a set of schemata taken and adapted from different sources in the literature. Chapter 1 introduces properties of [take], and discusses the different aspects and status of ASL structures relevant to [take]. Chapter 2 presents the sources and development of the newly-created ASL Verb Complex Model. Chapter 3 introduces ASL structures in general within an Autolexical Syntax framework. Chapter 4 observes the distribution and analysis of [take] within this framework. Chapter 5 concludes with re-examination of historical ASL materials and existing ASL data. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]