Forms: α. 5–7 venter (6 ventre). β. 6 ventur (Sc. ventour), 6– venture. [Aphetic f. aventure ADVENTURE v. Cf. prec.]
I. 1. trans. To risk the loss of (something); to expose to the chance of loss or injury, esp. in the hope of obtaining some advantage or gain; to hazard, risk or stake.
Freq. const. with preps., as for, in, on or upon.
α. c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 109. Alle ys for your love, madame, my lyfe wold I venter, So that ye wylle graunt me, I have desyryd many a wyntter.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 260. Som of the religion and league of the Protestauntes … wil venter their lives & spend their blud in this war.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., V. i. 101. And Prince of Wales, so dare we venter thee, Albeit, considerations infinite Do make against it.
1628. Wither, Brit. Rememb., II. 1992. There many thousands are Or Townes and Cities … Who would conceive it were unjustly done, That he should venter all their wealth in One.
1645. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser I. III. 306. Hee that venters his life for the libertye of his countrie [etc.].
1689. Popple, trans. Locke’s 1st Lett. Toleration, L.’s Wks. 1727, II. 418. We are persuaded to venter our eternal Happiness on that Belief.
β. 1575. Gascoigne, Flowers, Wks. 1907, I. 77. He … lyke a venturer … Determined for to venture me and all his worldly pelfe.
1580. in Heath, Grocers’ Comp. (1869), 75, note. A girdle ventured by Brothers of the Company in the Lottery.
1634. W. Wood, New Eng. Prosp., I. i. Many of his Majesties faithfull Subjects have beene imboldned to venture persons, states, and indeavors.
1665. Pepys, Diary, 27 Dec. I will not venture my family by encreasing it, before it is safe.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., II. xxi. § 66. It is a very wrong and irrational way of proceeding, to venture a greater Good for a less.
1701. W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, 486. Mamaea, who durst not venture her Son thro her overmuch Fondness.
1779. Johnson, L. P., Pope, Wks. IV. 46. Pope was seized with the universal passion, and ventured some of his money.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. xi. 89. Few people chose to venture a hundred guineas upon the turn of a straw.
c. 1853. Kingsley, Misc. (1859), I. 34. His whole fortune is ventured in an expedition over which he has no control.
1885–94. R. Bridges, Eros & Psyche, April, xix. What hour the happy bride Ventures for love her maiden innocence.
2. b. Const. to with inf.
1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, O ij b. I rather would to shield mine honour, & preuent his shame,… so venter life & limme.
1584. Cogan, Haven Health, cxxxvi. (1636), 137. Many men rashly will venter their credit, yea, and sometimes their lives too, to steale Venison.
1647. R. Stapylton, Juvenal, 76. As D. Junius Brutus ventured his [life], to free Rome of Tarquin.
1667. Pepys, Diary, 4 April. Himself and three more would venture their carcasses upon it to pay all the King’s debts in three years.
1706. Stevens, Sp. Dict., s.v. Rico, o rico, o pinjado, Either rich, or hang’d, when a Man ventures his Neck to get Wealth.
1748. Anson’s Voy., I. ii. 17. The Commodore did not care to venture the ships long boats to fetch the water off.
1860. Motley, Netherl., ii. (1868), I. 59. To further this end, many leading personages in France avowed … their determination to venture their lives and their fortunes.
c. In proverbial use, esp. in the phrase nought (or nothing) venture, nought (or nothing) have.
1546. J. Heywood, Prov. (1867), 31. Nought venter nought have.
1553. Eden, Treat. New Ind. (Arb.), 42. Nought venter nought haue, is a saying of old.
1604. [? Chettle], Wit of Woman, C 4 b. And she that will not venter her egges shall neuer haue chickens.
1668. Sedley, Mulberry Gard., III. ii. Who ever caught any thing with a naked hook? Nothing venture, nothing win.
1777. Boswell, in Life Johnson (1904), II. 145. I am, however, generally for trying, ‘Nothing venture, nothing have.’
1885. Cent. Mag., XXIX. 186. ‘Nothing venture, nothing have,’ Betty replied saucily.
† d. To venture a joint, to take some risk. Obs.
1573–80. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 173. To trust without heede is to venter a ioint.
1590. Greene, Never too late (1600), 17. The poore woman … promised to venture a ioynt, but shee would further him.
3. refl. To risk (oneself); to dare to go. Now arch.
Const. with preps., as in, on, upon, with, or adverbs of place, as abroad, thither.
1572. Satir. Poems Reform., xxxviii. 80. For better it is to fecht it,… With speir men and weir men, and ventour our sellis.
1597. Deloney, Gentle Craft (1912), 169. Lo thus her selfe she ventred, And streight her streets we entred.
1642. D. Rogers, Naaman, 21. Yet so venture thyselfe as a forlorne wretch upon the Lord.
1676. Doctrine of Devils, 92. For who being of the Demonologists opinion … will … so much as venture himself in a sound Boat?
1705. Addison, Italy, etc., 518. We were advis’d by our Merchants, by no means to venture our selves in the Duke of Bavaria’s Country.
1735. Johnson, Lobo’s Abyssinia, Descr., xi. 108. When I was to Cross this River at Boad, I durst not venture myself on the Flotes.
1746. Hervey, Medit. (1818), 153. One so … delicate in her constitution, that she dares not venture herself abroad in the open air.
1777. Sheridan, Trip Scarb., IV. i. Dare you venture yourself alone with me?
1825. Scott, Talism., xxiii. Was it not through thy conversation … that I ventured me thither in disguise.
3. To take the risk of sending, or causing to go, where loss or detriment is possible. Now rare.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., I. ii. 192. Others like Merchants venter Trade abroad.
1611. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 552. I have thought good to venture these with ye Frenche poste by ye way of Lyons.
1617. Moryson, Itin., II. 82. The streame … he found so exceeding swift, that it was like to be dangerous to venture our horses ouer.
1686. trans. Chardin’s Trav. Persia, 173. No body would venture their Goods into Mingrelia.
1707. Dobson, in Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), II. 83. I can’t think any Gentlemen will venture their Sons here.
1718. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. C’tess Mar, 10 March. Which induces me to venture this letter to your house at London.
1734. in Swift’s Lett. (1768), IV. 77. As I would not venture my character abroad in the world without the advice of those who have succeeded in it.
1780. Cowper, Progr. Err., 520. Like something precious ventur’d far from shore, ’Tis valued for the danger’s sake the more.
1814. Scott, Diary, 19 Aug., in Lockhart. Our own log-boat being too heavy and far too valuable to be ventured upon this Cocytus.
b. To risk entrusting (a thing) with a person, or letting go out of one’s hands.
1618. Fletcher, Chances, III. i. Now could I willingly … Venture my Body with thee.
1666. Bunyan, Grace Abound., § 329. But yet … I must venture you all with God, though it goeth to the quick to leave you.
1726. Swift, Gulliver, I. ii. I apprehended they might be lost or spoiled, if I ventured them out of my possession.
II. 4. To run or take the risk of (something dangerous or harmful); to brave the dangers of (ice, water, etc.).
Passing into sense 5, and now rare.
1548. Cooper, Elyot’s Dict., s.v. Coeo, Societatem periculi coire, to venture the … daunger of a thing with an other.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 67. I was determind fully, too ventur al hazards, Al Troy too trauerse, too suffer danger al hapning.
a. 1604. Hanmer, Chron. Ireland (1633), 156. Such as would not venter the water, were slaine by the English.
1604. Shaks., Oth., IV. iii. 77. Why, who would not make her husband a Cuckold, to make him a Monarch? I should venture Purgatory for’t.
1675. Hatton, Corr. (Camden), 120. That they had rather venter hanging than starving.
1707. Freind, Peterborow’s Cond. Spain, 38. They were unwilling to venture the disorders that might have happened to their Army.
1741. Lady Hartford, Corr. (1805), III. 3. Eighty-one of them ventured his resentment.
a. 1774. Goldsm., trans. Scarron’s Com. Romance (1775), I. 213. They could hardly believe his relation that I threw him into the water, and ventured my own drowning to procure his.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xl. (1856), 362. The temptations of the flesh were too much for me: I ventured the ice.
b. To risk allowing (a person) to do something.
1710. Addison, Spect., No. 21, ¶ 8. A Man would be well enough pleased to buy Silks of one, whom he would not venture to feel his Pulse.
c. To risk trusting or confiding in (a person).
1777. Sheridan, Trip Scarb., IV. i. Well, this once I’ll venture you. But if you disparage me—.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. ii. 92. His Sepoys deserted for want of pay, and he durst not venture them in sallies.
5. To dare, or have the courage, to attempt or undertake (some action); to risk the issue or result of; to venture upon (see 9 b).
1595. Shaks., John, IV. iii. 5. The Wall is high, and yet I will leape downe … I am afraide, and yet Ile venture it.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus, Ann., II. xv. (1622), 54. Catualda … ventured a reuenge.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., I. viii. 62. O Conner did undertake that the Connaught men should not … take our parts, being the only encouragement of the English, to venter this Enterprize.
1650. Milton, Eikon. (ed. 2), Pref. A 3. It shall be ventur’d yet, and the truth not smother’d, but sent abroad.
1742. C. Middleton, Cicero, III. xi. 230. For we neither think it safe to venture a battel, nor [etc.].
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist., VII. 257. It hunts about to find out the web of another spider,… with whom it ventures a battle.
1815. Scott, Guy M., l. Miss Bertram accompanied her friend … without venturing a second glance at the object of her terror.
1858. Froude, Hist. Eng., IV. xviii. 71. The garrison did not wait to make closer acquaintance with men who would venture such an enterprise. Ibid. (1879), Cæsar, xxii. 384. No more opposition was ventured by the Greek cities.
b. To dare to give, put forth, or express (an opinion, statement, etc.); to make or utter tentatively, or with some degree of presumption.
1638. R. Baker, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. II.), 101. A prudence that is so … scrupulous, that feares to venture a word for a vertuous friend.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, II. xxvi. I … ventured a sly joke at the good effects of matrimony.
1849. Eastwick, Dry Leaves, 64. Those who had not the shadow of a ground for venturing any statement at all.
1906. Marjorie Bowen, Viper of Milan, viii. ‘They say in Milan Lady Valentine is to marry the Duke of Orleans,’ Tomaso ventured presently.
† c. With abroad: To risk publishing (an article, etc.). Obs.
1674. Boyle, Excell. Theology, Pref. 3. The Philosophical papers I have hitherto ventured abroad.
1709. Chandler, Eff. agst. Bigotry, Ded. A 2 b. When I first ventur’d it abroad in the World, I expected the Fate that usually attends such as attempt to part a Fray, even to be box’d on both Ears.
III. 6. intr. To risk oneself; to brave the risks or chances of a journey, voyage, etc.; to dare to go or proceed. Const. with preps. and advs.
1534. in Star Chamb. Cases (Selden), II. 292. Your marchantes … venteryng to Iseland for Fysshe.
1550. Crowley, Last Trumpet, 1033. If thou venter into straunge landes, And bringe home thynges profitable.
1587. Mirr. Mag., Sabrina, xxii. For love to ayde her, venter in would I.
1624. Capt. Smith, Virginia, III. 66. Into the great vast deep to venter out.
1676. Doctrine of Devils, 92. For who being of the Demonologists Opinion … will dare to venture to either of the Indies.
a. 1727. Newton, Chronol. Amended (1728), 111. The first men who left the Sea-coasts, and ventured out into the deep.
1797. S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., I. 328. I thought not of venturing near this spot till dark.
1823. F. Clissold, Ascent Mt. Blanc, 21. It being half past six, it was considered too late now to venture to the summit.
1832. W. Irving, Alhambra, II. 239. Venturing on, she came at last to a great hall.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. iii. 46. With a good stock of fresh meat … I can venture away from the vessel to draw supplies from the Esquimaux.
fig. 1610. Donne, Pseudo-Martyr, 133. Olde Monkes were vsed heretofore to be but Coasters,… further then the Contemplation of Heauen … guided them, they did not easily venter.
1633. Massinger, Guardian, III. i. I affect A handsome mistress … and on good terms, Will venture as far i’ the fire, so she be willing To entertain me.
1877. Froude, Short Stud. (1883), IV. I. ix. 104. The archbishop had not ventured so far to be frightened at the first hard word.
1898. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Roden’s Corner, xvi. She knew that in love he was the incarnation of caution, and would only venture so far as she encouraged him to come.
7. To run or take risks; to incur the chance of danger, peril, loss, disapproval, etc.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 64. And where as you may preuayle more by other meanes, why wyll you venter with so great daunger?
1589. Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 53. It is the token of a high minde to venter for a Queene.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 503. Three Gentle-women were then sent forth to seeke a Knight that would venter in her defence.
1657. T. Jordan, Walks Islington, V. ii. As I live here’s Sir R. Lamard that broke the prison; how the devil dares he venter?
1725. Watts, Logic, I. v. § 4. Where the improbabilities of success or advantage are greater than the probabilities, it is not prudence to act or venture.
1820. Byron, Mar. Fal., I. ii. 539. You have deeply ventured; But all must do so who would greatly win.
1895. H. H. Furness, Mids. N. Dream, Pref. p. xxi. In emending Shakespeare’s text … those who know the most, venture the least.
b. To be boldly speculative. rare–1.
1559. Aylmer, Harborowe, E 4. It is a wonder, that men vnskilled in the diuersities of times, and historis, dare thus ventre in so great matters.
c. To take part in, invest in, a financial venture or speculation. rare–1.
c. 1620. in Eng. Hist. Rev., Jan. (1915), 20. The Lottery shall be presently removed … with speciall care of the Governors that the poor be not suffered to venture.
8. With inf.: To dare, presume, go so far as, be so bold as (to do something).
Common from c. 1610; in later use frequently in weakened sense (cf. next).
1559. Aylmer, Harborowe, E 4. A Quene in Illiria, who durst venture to withstand the Romains.
1589. Pasquil’s Ret., D b. The holie Patriarche … neuer venturde to alienate the possessions of Idolatrous Priestes.
1609. Rowley, Search for Money (Percy Soc.), 11. Biskets, which … nere a souldier there durst venter to breake.
1656. Cowley, Pindar. Odes, New Year, iv. Upon the Brink … We should stand shivering, and but slowly venter The Fatal Flood to enter.
1699. Burnet, 39 Art., xviii. 173. Instead of stretching the severity of Justice … we may rather venter to stretch the Mercy of God.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 252. He would at any time venture to send his two sons into the mountains.
1774. Burke, Sp. Amer. Tax., Wks. II. 355. Why do you venture to repeal the duties upon glass, paper, and painters colours?
1840. Thirlwall, Greece, lv. VII. 71. Archias … did not even venture to cross over to the Arabian side of the Persian Gulph.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 617. Thirty times the fugitives ventured to look through the outer hedge: but everywhere they found a sentinel on the alert.
1887. Bowen, Virg. Ecl., VIII. 102. Over thy shoulders fling them, nor venture behind thee to look!
b. Used with reference to the expression of opinions, etc.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 354. Some of these … were by a new English Saxons name called Wiccij: but whereupon, I dare scarse venture to guesse.
1660. Boyle, New Exp. Phys.-Mech., xviii. 134. I should not undertake to answer so difficult a question, and should venter to say no more.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith. (1690), 95. I humbly venture to say, all these things may be done.
a. 1774. Tucker, Lt. Nat., IV. III. 203. If you observe those people who pretend to be fullest of doubts you will find them most fond of that positive phrase, I will venture to say.
1803. Med. Jrnl., X. 297. I now ventured to pronounce, that what I took for a bilious fever was in reality the influenza.
1850. Grove, Corr. Phys. Forces (ed. 2), 98. The view which I would venture to suggest is, that such vibrations are themselves electricity or magnetism.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 244. The sound of the voice which reaches and educates the soul, we have ventured to term music.
9. To venture on or upon: † a. To make trial of (a person or animal); to dare to advance upon, approach or attack. Obs.
c. 1520[?]. Everyman, 484, in Pollard, Eng. Mir. Plays (1890), 87. Yet will I venter on her now. My Good Dedes, where be you?
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vi. The sly Rhinocerot: Who … doth venter Upon his Foe.
1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 628. Being irefull, on the lyon, he [the boar] will venter [rhyme enter].
1631. A. Wilson, The Swisser, II. iii. I’le venture on the Beauty. (He kisses her.)
b. To attempt or undertake (something of a dangerous or difficult nature) without assurance of success; to accept or take the risk of (an action, course or proceeding); to dare to do, make or take (something), realizing that a risk is being run. † Also with of.
1557. Cheke, Lett. to Hoby, in Hoby, Courtyer (1561), Z z v. If the old denisoned wordes could … ease this neede we wold not boldly venture of vnknowen wordes.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 282. There is no daunger so great, that they wyl refuse to venter vpon for his preseruation.
1609. B. Jonson, Sil. Wom., I. ii. Can he endure no noise and will venter on a wife?
1652. H. L’Estrange, Amer. no Jewes, 7. To venter upon such another voyage as Noah’s.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 121, ¶ 1. They never venture upon the Fruit of any Tree,… unless they observe that it is marked with the Pecking of Birds.
1755. Young, Centaur, i. Wks. (1757), IV. 123. I venture on it out of what I conceive to be charity, greater still!
1781. Cowper, Charity, 6. A task I venture on, impell’d by thee.
1863. Kinglake, Crimea, I. 296. Not only could they have no semblance of a public meeting, but they could not even venture upon the slightest approach to … lesser gatherings.
1876. ‘L. Carroll,’ Hunting Snark, II. xviii. The third is his slowness in taking a jest, Should you happen to venture on one.
10. To venture at, to make a venture or attempt at; to guess at.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. i. 156. [It is] held for certaine The King will venture at it.
1653. More, Antid. Ath., II. xii. § 17. To view the asperities of the Moon through a Dioptrick-Glass and venture at the Proportion of her Hills by their shadows.
1671. R. Bohun, Wind, 85. Wee might likewise venture at a better account.
c. 1710. Celia Fiennes, Diary (1888), 158. They cannot venture at that sort of tillage.
1736. Ainsworth, I. s.v., Mankind will venture at anything.
1823. J. Simpson, Ricardo the Outlaw, I. 24. She debated for a few minutes, which door she should venture at.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., xx. 508. The only time he … ventures at a reason for what he says.
Hence Ventured ppl. a.
1623. Massinger, Dk. Milan, II. i. Is this … The fair return of both our ventured favours!
c. 1625. Bradford, Plymouth Plant. (Massach. Hist. Soc.), III. 201. The catle were ye best goods, for ye other, being ventured ware, were neither at ye best,… nor at ye best prises.
1892. J. B. Mayor, Ep. James, Author p. xxiii.–xxiv. His mother … did nevertheless on more than one occasion draw upon herself his reproof for ventured interference.
