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Definition of undertaking - 6 dictionary results

un⋅der⋅tak⋅ing

  [uhn-der-tey-king, uhn-der-tey- for 1–3; uhn-der-tey-king for 4]
Use undertaking in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of a person who undertakes any task or responsibility.
2. a task, enterprise, etc., undertaken.
3. a promise; pledge; guarantee.
4. the business of an undertaker or funeral director.
Origin:
1325–75; ME; see under, taking

Synonyms:
2. project, endeavor, job, effort, venture.

un⋅der⋅take

  [uhn-der-teyk] verb, -took, -tak⋅en, -tak⋅ing.
–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 undertaking
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.
un·der·tak·ing   (ŭn'dər-tā'kĭng)   
n.  

  1. A task or assignment undertaken; a venture.

  2. A guaranty, engagement, or promise.

  3. The profession or duties of a funeral director.

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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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: un·der·tak·ing
Function: noun
1 : a promise or pledge esp. required by law
2 : something (as cash or a written promise) deposited or given as security esp. in a court
NOTE: Undertakings are often required of one party during property actions (as for attachment) in order to compensate the other party should the court's action (as in attaching the property) be found unjustified later.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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