undertake
undertake is defined in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913) with 9 senses, and appears in Roget's Thesaurus (1911) with 40 related terms. The full text of each entry is reproduced verbatim below.
Definitions
- 1.Specifically, to take upon one's self solemnly or expressly; to lay one's self under obligation, or to enter into stipulations, to perform or to execute; to covenant; to contract. I 'll undertake to land them on our coast. Shak.
- 2.Hence, to guarantee; to promise; to affirm. And he was not right fat, I undertake. Dryden. And those two counties I will undertake Your grace shall well and quietly enjoiy. Shak. I dare undertake they will not lose their labor. Woodward.
- 3.To assume, as a character. [Obs.] Shak.
- 4.To engage with; to attack. [Obs.] It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offense to. Shak.
- 5.To have knowledge of; to hear. [Obs.] Spenser.
- 6.To take or have the charge of. [Obs.] "Who undertakes you to your end." Shak. Keep well those that ye undertake. Chaucer.
- 7.To take upon one's self, or assume, any business, duty, or province. O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Isa. xxxviii.
- 8.2. To venture; to hazard. [Obs.] It is the cowish terror of his spirit That dare not undertake. Shak.
- 9.To give a promise or guarantee; to be surety. But on mine honor dare I undertake For good lord Titus' innocence in all. Shak.
Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
Synonyms
Related terms (Roget's 1911)
- about
- activity
- adventure
- anvil
- apprentice
- begin
- beginning
- betake
- break
- broach
- business
- compact
- contract
- determination
- devote
- embark
- emprise
- engage
- engagement
- enterprise
- execution
- fall
- fire
- first
- foot
- for
- forth
- forward
- hand
- have
- here
- institute
- into
- launch
- lay
- many
- matter
- move
- neck
- oneself
Source: Roget's Thesaurus, 1911 edition (public domain, via Project Gutenberg eBook #10681).
Related questions
Reverse-dictionary questions
Definition-first questions whose answer is undertake.
- What is to engage with; to attack. [Obs.] It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offense to. Shak called?
- What is to have knowledge of; to hear. [Obs.] Spenser called?
- What is to take or have the charge of. [Obs.] "Who undertakes you to your end." Shak. Keep well those that ye undertake. Chaucer called?
- What is to take upon one's self, or assume, any business, duty, or province. O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Isa. xxxviii called?
- What is 2. To venture; to hazard. [Obs.] It is the cowish terror of his spirit That dare not undertake. Shak called?
- What is to give a promise or guarantee; to be surety. But on mine honor dare I undertake For good lord Titus' innocence in all. Shak called?
Sources
- Definitions: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
- Synonyms: Roget's Thesaurus, 1911 edition (public domain, via Project Gutenberg eBook #10681).
- Canonical URL: https://worddirectanswers.com/word/undertake
- Steward: Jason Burns