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undertake
6 dictionary results for: undertake
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
un·der·take 
[uhn-der-teyk] Pronunciation Key verb, -took, -tak·en, -tak·ing.
[uhn-der-teyk] Pronunciation Key verb, -took, -tak·en, -tak·ing. –verb (used with object)
–verb (used without 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. |
| 5. | Archaic. to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| un·der·take
(ŭn'dər-tāk') Pronunciation Key
v. un·der·took (-tŏŏk'), un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing, un·der·takes v. tr.
v. intr. Archaic To make oneself responsible. Used with for. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
undertake
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
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| undertake | |
verb | |
| 1. | enter upon an activity or enterprise |
| 2. | accept as a challenge; "I'll tackle this difficult task" |
| 3. | promise to do or accomplish; "guarantee to free the prisoners" |
| 4. | enter into a contractual arrangement [syn: contract] |
| 5. | accept as a charge |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Undertake
Un`der*take"\, v. t. [imp. Undertook; p. p. Undertaken; p. pr. & vb. n. Undertaking.] [Under + take.]1. To take upon one's self; to engage in; to enter upon; to take in hand; to begin to perform; to set about; to attempt. To second, or oppose, or undertake The perilous attempt. --Milton. 2. Specifically, to take upon one's self solemnly or expressly; to lay one's self under obligation, or to enter into stipulations, to perform or to execute; to covenant; to contract. I 'll undertake to land them on our coast. --Shak. 3. Hence, to guarantee; to promise; to affirm. And he was not right fat, I undertake. --Dryden. And those two counties I will undertake Your grace shall well and quietly enjoiy. --Shak. I dare undertake they will not lose their labor. --Woodward. 4. To assume, as a character. [Obs.] --Shak. 5. To engage with; to attack. [Obs.] It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offense to. --Shak. 6. To have knowledge of; to hear. [Obs.] --Spenser. 7. To take or have the charge of. [Obs.] "Who undertakes you to your end." --Shak. Keep well those that ye undertake. --Chaucer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Undertake
Un`der*take"\, v. i. 1. To take upon one's self, or assume, any business, duty, or province. O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. --Isa. xxxviii. 14. 2. To venture; to hazard. [Obs.] It is the cowish terror of his spirit That dare not undertake. --Shak. 3. To give a promise or guarantee; to be surety. But on mine honor dare I undertake For good lord Titus' innocence in all. --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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