enterprise
UK /ˈɛntəˌpɹaɪz/ · US /ˈɛntɚˌpɹaɪz/ noun, verb, proper noun
Forms enterprises enterprising enterprised enterprize entreprise
- noun A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor. “The government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are a group of financial services corporations which have been created by the United States Congress.”
- noun An undertaking, venture, or project, especially a daring and courageous one. “Biosphere 2 was a scientific enterprise aimed at the exploration of the complex web of interactions within life systems.”
- noun (uncountable) A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative. “He has shown great enterprise throughout his early career.”
- noun (uncountable) Active participation in projects.
- verb (intransitive) To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
- verb (transitive) To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
- verb (obsolete, transitive) To put up or house; to entertain.
- proper noun A city in Coffee County, Alabama.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in Amador County, California.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in Lake County, California.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in Volusia County, Florida.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in Spencer County, Indiana.
- proper noun A minor city in Dickinson County, Kansas.
- proper noun A town in Clarke County, Mississippi.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in Union County, Mississippi.
Synonyms
pursuit undertaking emprise activity doings endeavor pursuance venture initiative business company firm endeavour enterprisingness go-ahead
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.
Webster’s 1913
- noun That which is undertaken; something attempted to be performed; a work projected which involves activity, courage, energy, and the like; a bold, arduous, or hazardous attempt; an undertaking; as, a manly enterprise; a warlike enterprise. Shak.
- noun Willingness or eagerness to engage in labor which requires boldness, promptness, energy, and like qualities; as, a man of great enterprise.
- verb To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
- verb To treat with hospitality; to entertain. [Obs.]
Etymology [F. enterprise, fr. entreprendre to undertake; entre between (L. inter) + prendre to take. See Inter, and Emprise.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “enterprise”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details