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undertake

 - 3 dictionary results

un⋅der⋅take

  [uhn-der-teyk] verb, -took, -tak⋅en, -tak⋅ing.
Use undertake in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to take upon oneself, as a task, performance, etc.; attempt: She undertook the job of answering all the mail.
2. to promise, agree, or obligate oneself (fol. by an infinitive): The married couple undertook to love, honor, and cherish each other.
3. to warrant or guarantee (fol. by a clause): The sponsors undertake that their candidate meets all the requirements.
4. to take in charge; assume the duty of attending to: The lawyer undertook a new case.
–verb (used without object)
5. Archaic. to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety.
Origin:
1150–1200; ME undertaken; see under-, take
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To undertake
un·der·take   (ŭn'dər-tāk')   
v.   un·der·took (-tŏŏk'), un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing, un·der·takes

v.   tr.

  1. To take upon oneself; decide or agree to do: undertake a task.

  2. To pledge or commit oneself: undertake to care for an elderly relative.

  3. To set about; begin.

  4. Obsolete To accept combat with.

v.   intr. Archaic
To make oneself responsible. Used with for.
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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Word Origin & History

undertake 
c.1200, "to entrap," in the same sense as O.E. underniman (cf. Du. ondernemen, Ger. unternehmen), of which it is a partial loan-translation, from under + take. Cf. also Fr. entreprendre "to undertake," from entre "between, among" + prendre "to take." The under in this word may be the same one that also may form the first element of understand. Meaning "to accept" is attested from c.1250; that of "to take upon oneself, to accept the duty of" is from c.1300. Undertaking "enterprise" is recorded from c.1425.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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