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enterprises' - 3 dictionary results

en⋅ter⋅prise

  [en-ter-prahyz]
Use enterprises' in a Sentence
–noun
1. a project undertaken or to be undertaken, esp. one that is important or difficult or that requires boldness or energy: To keep the peace is a difficult enterprise.
2. a plan for such a project.
3. participation or engagement in such projects: Our country was formed by the enterprise of resolute men and women.
4. boldness or readiness in undertaking; adventurous spirit; ingenuity.
5. a company organized for commercial purposes; business firm.
6. (initial capital letter) Military. the first nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1961, with a displacement of 89,000 tons (80,723 m ton) and eight reactors.
7. (initial capital letter, italics) U.S. Aerospace. the first space shuttle, used for atmospheric flight and landing tests.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < MF, n. use of fem. of entrepris (ptp. of entreprendre to undertake) < L inter- inter- + prēnsus grasped, seized, contr. of prehēnsus, equiv. to pre- pre- + hend- take hold of + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
en⋅ter⋅prise⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. plan, undertaking, venture. 4. drive, aggressiveness, push, ambition.

En⋅ter⋅prise

  [en-ter-prahyz]
–noun
a city in S Alabama. 18,033.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To enterprises'
en·ter·prise   (ěn'tər-prīz')   
n.  
  1. An undertaking, especially one of some scope, complication, and risk.
  2. A business organization.
  3. Industrious, systematic activity, especially when directed toward profit: Private enterprise is basic to capitalism.
  4. Willingness to undertake new ventures; initiative: "Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling, and spending their lives like serfs" (Henry David Thoreau).

[Middle English, from Old French entreprise, from past participle of entreprendre, to undertake : entre-, between (from Latin inter-; see inter-) + prendre, to take (from Latin prehendere, prēndere; see ghend- in Indo-European roots).]
en'ter·pris'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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