Forms: 5–6 enter-, entreprys(e, (5 enterprinse), entrepris(e, 6 enterprice, -yce, 6–9 enterprize, 5– enterprise. Also 6–7 interprise, -yse, Sc. -yiss, 7 -yze. [a. OFr. entreprise, -prinse, f. entreprendre to take in hand, undertake, L. entre between + prendre to take.]
1. A design of which the execution is attempted; a piece of work taken in hand, an undertaking; chiefly, and now exclusively, a bold, arduous or momentous undertaking.
c. 1430. Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 4310. Whan the Soudon wist of this That thei lost such an entrepris.
1475. Bk. Noblesse (1860), 6. Entreprinses and werris taken and founded vppon a just cause.
1530. Palsgr., 868. The great diffyculte of myne entrepryse.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 185. Met in the middis with mony interpryiss.
1557. Paynel, Barclay’s Jugurth, 95 b. He proceded in his interprise and purpose.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1621), 1308. They resolued … to make an enterprise vpon some townes of ALBANIA.
1618. E. Elton, Expos. Romans vii. (1622), 398. We must not be ignorant of Satans Enterprizes.
1704. Swift, Batt. Bks. (1711), 261. He … had wander’d long in search of some Enterprize.
1748. Anson’s Voy., Introd. A Voyage round the World is still considered as an enterprize of a very singular nature.
1814. Chalmers, Evid. Chr. Revel., viii. 215. We must restrain the enterprizes of fancy.
1875. Helps, Ess. Organiz. Daily Life, 132. In those enterprises which we call joint-stock undertakings.
b. abstr. Engagement in such undertakings.
1769. Junius Lett., iii. 17. You ought to have pointed out some instances of … well-concerted enterprise.
1783. Watson, Philip III., II. vi. 151. Times of national enterprize.
1806. J. Beresford, in Lond. Gaz., 13 Sept., 1213/2. Some of the existing Duties bear too hard on the Enterprize of Commerce.
1829. I. Taylor, Enthus., iv. (1867), 71. Theology offers no field to men fond of intellectual enterprise.
1844. H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, III. 310. That portion of the trade … which the Company relinquished to private enterprise.
2. Disposition or readiness to engage in undertakings of difficulty, risk or danger; daring spirit.
1475. Bk. Noblesse, 20. Was never so worshipfulle an act of entreprise done in suche a case.
1540–54. Croke, Ps. (1844), 22. Thyne entrepryse dyd neuer quayle.
1792. Burke, Heads Consid. Pr. Aff., Wks. 1815, VII. 93. In such [piratical] expeditions, enterprize supplies the want of discipline.
1869. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), III. xiv. 332. With an expression of contempt for his lack of enterprise.
† 3. The action of taking in hand; management, superintendence. Obs.
1534. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), D vij b. Some abode there charged with the enterpryse of the sonne.
1803. in Nicolas, Disp. Nelson (1845), V. 370. The enterprise and conduct of the Fleet devolved on Lord Nelson.
