arch. Forms: α. 4–5 empryse, (4 emperise), 5 emprys, enprise, ymprise, enpriss, 7 empries, 4– emprise, -ize. β. 4 enpress, em-, imprese, 4–6 imprease. [a. OF. emprise, emprinse, com. Romanic = Pr. empreza, Sp. empresa, It. impresa:—late L. *imprensa, f. ppl. stem of *imprendĕre (in OF. emprendre) to take in hand, f. in- in + prehendĕre to take.
The 17th c. forms em-, imprese appear to be influenced by Sp. or It.; cf. EMPRESS sb.2, IMPRESS sb.2 which are ultimately the same word; the earlier enpress is difficult to explain. See also APRISE.]
1. An undertaking, enterprise; esp. one of an adventurous or chivalrous nature.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 9802. Man to dei, godd for to rise, Moght nan tak elles þis emprise.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, III. 276. To bryng All thar enpress to gud ending.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knight’s T., 1682. The lord considered that it were destruccioun to gentil blood to fighten in this emprise.
1423. James I., Kingis Quair, II. i. Nature first begyneth her enprise.
1600. Fairfax, Tasso, II. lxxvii. 35. If you atchieue renowne by this empries.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXIII. xviii. 486. Annibal for very shame was faine to give over his imprease for the present.
1725–6. Pope, Odyss., IV. 602. Ambushed we lie, and wait the bold emprise.
1823. Scott, Romance (1874), 86. The … most extravagant emprises of the heroes of romance.
1871. Browning, Pr. Hohenst., 773. Dare first The great emprise.
† b. A purpose, intent. Obs.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 6528. Þei dud aȝeynes goddes emprise.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 281. And eke I not for what emprise I shulde assote upon a nonne.
2. abstr. Chivalric enterprise, martial prowess.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8183 (Cott.). Knight he was o gret empris.
a. 1400. Octouian, 1060. Ley on strokes with good empryse.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 3455. The worschip of knychthed and empryss.
1667. Milton, P. L., XI. 642. Giants of mightie Bone, and bould emprise.
1782. Han. More, David, I. 27. Let not thy youth be dazzled … With deeds of bold emprise.
1812. Byron, Ch. Har., II. xxxviii. He … whose … foes Shrunk from his deeds of chivalrous emprize.
1863. Longf., Wayside Inn, I. Interl. 37. The deeds of high emprise, I sing!
† b. Difficulty, greatness of undertaking. Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 617. Him thinkith it is so gret emprise for to undertake to doon werkes of goodnes.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 252. It is … of none emprise To speke a word.
† c. Pre-occupation, absorption of thought. Obs.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 389. The vanyteis of slep … causith of sum maner influens, Empriss of thoght, ore superfleuytee.
† 3. Renown, glory, distinction. Obs.
c. 1430. Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 1937. This goode ladie of high emprise Did him kisse in herti wise.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 269. He hath the worschip and emprise.
† b. Value, estimation. Obs. [? Influenced by PRICE.]
1375. Barbour, Bruce, X. 507. The Erll … hye Enpriss Set ay apon Souerane bounte.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 147. But Manachaz saith other wise, That wine is of the more emprise.
† 4. ? Spoil, prey. Obs.
a. 1400. Octouian, 769. Florent … tok of foweles greet empryse.
