enterprise

== English == === Alternative forms === enterprize, entreprise (obsolete) === Etymology === From Old French via Middle English and Middle French entreprise, feminine past participle of entreprendre (“to undertake”), from entre (“in between”) + prendre (“to take”), from Latin inter + prehendō, see prehensile. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɛntəˌpɹaɪz/ (General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈɛntɚˌpɹaɪz/ (Australian) IPA(key): /ˈen.təˌpɹɑez/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): [ˈen.təˌpɹɑe̯z] Hyphenation: en‧ter‧prise === Noun === enterprise (countable and uncountable, plural enterprises) A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:enterprise An undertaking, venture, or project, especially a daring and courageous one. Synonyms: pursuit, undertaking; see also Thesaurus:activity (uncountable) A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative. Synonym: initiative (uncountable) Active participation in projects. (Can we add an example for this sense?) ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== entrepreneur ==== Translations ==== === Verb === enterprise (third-person singular simple present enterprises, present participle enterprising, simple past and past participle enterprised) (intransitive) To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult. (transitive) To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon. c. 1680, Thomas Otway, letter to Elizabeth Barry What would I not renounce or enterprise for you! (obsolete, transitive) To put up or house; to entertain. === References === “enterprise”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. enterprise in Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary, edited by The Keywords Project, Colin MacCabe, Holly Yanacek, 2018. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “enterprise”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. === Anagrams === entreprise