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Webster 1913 Edition

Enterprise

En′ter-prise

,
Noun.
[F.
enterprise
, fr.
entreprendre
to undertake;
entre
between (L.
inter
) +
prendre
to take. See
Inter
, and
Emprise
.]
1.
That which is undertaken; something attempted to be performed; a work projected which involves activity, courage, energy, and the like; a bold, arduous, or hazardous attempt; an undertaking;
as, a manly
enterprise
; a warlike
enterprise
.
Shak.
Their hands can not perform their
enterprise
.
Job v. 12.
2.
Willingness or eagerness to engage in labor which requires boldness, promptness, energy, and like qualities;
as, a man of great
enterprise
.

En′ter-prise

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
[R.]
The business must be
enterprised
this night.
Dryden.
What would I not renounce or
enterprise
for you!
T. Otway.
2.
To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
[Obs.]
Him at the threshold met, and well did
enterprise
.
Spenser.

En′ter-prise

,
Verb.
I.
To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
[R.]
Pope.

Webster 1828 Edition

Enterprise

EN'TERPRISE

,
Noun.
s as z. That which is undertaken, or attempted to be performed; an attempt; a project attempted; particularly, a bold, arduous or hazardous undertaking, either physical or moral. The attack on Stoney-Point was a bold, but successful enterprise. The attempts to evangelize the heathen are noble enterprises.
Their hands cannot perform their enterprise. Job.5.

EN'TERPRISE

,
Verb.
T.
To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform.
The business must be enterprised this night.

Definition 2024

enterprise

enterprise

English

Alternative forms

Noun

enterprise ‎(plural enterprises)

  1. A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
    The government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are a group of financial services corporations which have been created by the United States Congress.
    A micro-enterprise is defined as a business having 5 or fewer employees and a low seed capital.
  2. An undertaking or project, especially a daring and courageous one.
    Biosphere 2 was a scientific enterprise aimed at the exploration of the complex web of interactions within life systems.
  3. A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.
    He has shown great enterprise throughout his early career.
  4. An active participation in projects.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

enterprise ‎(third-person singular simple present enterprises, present participle enterprising, simple past and past participle enterprised)

  1. (intransitive) To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Alexander Pope to this entry?)
  2. (transitive) To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
    • Dryden
      The business must be enterprised this night.
    • T. Otway
      What would I not renounce or enterprise for you!
  3. (transitive) To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
    • Spenser
      Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprise.

Etymology

From Old French via Middle English and Middle French entreprise, feminine past participle of entreprendre ‎(“to undertake”), from entre ‎(“in between”) + prendre ‎(“to take”), from Latin inter + prehendō, see prehensile.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɛntɹ̩pɹɑjz/, [ˈɛɾ̃ɹ̩pɹɑjz]

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