enterprise
Pluralenterprises
Verbenterprises, enterprising, enterprised
Pluralenterprises
Formsenterprises, enterprising, enterprised
- 1
- 2An undertaking or venture, especially one that is daring and requires courage.
The polar expedition was an enterprise few explorers dared to attempt.
Building the bridge across the gorge proved a costly enterprise.
Similarventure, project, undertaking, endeavor, pursuit
Note
Behind this sense is the Old French verb entreprendre, "to undertake." It joins entre, "in between," and prendre, "to take," from Latin inter and prehendō, the root of prehensile. An enterprise is literally something taken on. Undertaking is built on the same idea, which is why it and pursuit swap in so easily. What sets enterprise apart is the hint of daring, which a plain project lacks.
- 3A willingness to take on new or risky projects, together with energy and initiative.
His enterprise and drive turned a tiny workshop into a thriving factory.
The award honors students who display real enterprise in solving problems.
Similarinitiative
Note
The quality behind the venture: it is uncountable, so a person shows great enterprise or lacks it, but never shows "an enterprise" of it. Countable uses belong to the daring venture. This one names the temperament that takes ventures on, close to initiative. Philip Larkin's Continuing to Live (1954) sets it beside interest and hair as things that slip away. Unlike cards in poker, those losses cannot be discarded and redrawn.
- 4Active participation and involvement in projects and undertakings.
The company culture values enterprise, expecting everyone to contribute actively.
His steady enterprise on community efforts made him a trusted organizer.
Similarinvolvement, participation, engagement, initiative
- 5To undertake something; to begin and attempt to carry it out; to venture upon it.
The merchants enterprised a risky voyage to distant ports.
She was the first to enterprise a sweeping reform of the institution.
Similarundertake, attempt, launch, venture
Note
The transitive verb takes the venture itself as its object, and it can be made passive. John Dryden's The Conquest of Granada (1670) has "The business must be enterprised this night." Thomas Otway, writing to Elizabeth Barry around 1680, pairs it with renounce: what he would "renounce or enterprise" for her. Undertake is the everyday equivalent and fits the same constructions.
- 6To set out on a venture, or to attempt something dangerous or difficult.
The explorers enterprised into uncharted waters despite the dangers.
Investors who enterprise abroad must accept greater risk.
Similarventure
Less common meaning
- 7To put someone up or house them; to receive and entertain a guest.
The abbey enterprised pilgrims who arrived after dark.
Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprize.
1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneNote
A hospitality verb that has dropped out of use: in Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene (1590) a guest is met at the threshold and "well did enterprize," spelled with a z. It takes a direct object, the person received. A modern reader would hear only the "undertake" verb, so outside deliberate imitation of Spenser, use put up, lodge or entertain instead.
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Practice
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Origin
It comes through Middle English and Middle French from Old French entreprise, the feminine past participle of entreprendre ("to undertake"), from entre ("in between") plus prendre ("to take"), which trace back to Latin inter and prehendō.