† undertaken.
Obsolete.
An undertaking, enterprise.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > [noun] > an undertaking
forec900
aprisec1320
exploitc1425
undertakingc1425
beginning1481
enterprise1548
apprinze1559
embracement1641
undertake1647
undertakement1678
sashay1900
1647 J. Sprigge Anglia Rediviva iv. ix. 295 The spoyle of the Castle, which cannot be avoyded in extreame undertakes against it.
1676 Doctr. of Devils To Rdr. I shall say no more in vindication of the undertake.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
undertakev.
/ˌʌndəˈteɪk/, U.S. /ˌəndərˈteɪk/ I. transitive.† 1. † b. To reprove, rebuke, chide. Obsolete.† 2. † b. To receive; to have given. Obsolete.† c. To receive into the mind; to hear. Obsolete.† 3. To understand. Obsolete.† 6. To assume, take to oneself. Obsolete.
a. To take by craft, to entrap; to overtake, seize upon. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)]
shrenchc897
beswike971
betrapa1000
bewindOE
undernimc1175
undertakec1175
bisayc1200
beguile?c1225
catchc1225
beginc1250
biwilea1275
tele?a1300
enginec1300
lime13..
umwrithea1340
engrin1340
oblige1340
belimec1350
enlacec1374
girnc1375
encumber138.
gnarec1380
enwrap1382
briguea1387
snarl1387
upbroid1387
trap1390
entrikea1393
englue1393
gildera1400
aguilec1400
betraisec1400
embrygec1400
snare1401
lacea1425
maska1425
begluec1430
marl1440
supprise?c1450
to prey ona1500
attrap1524
circumvene1526
entangle1526
tangle1526
entrap1531
mesh1532
embrake1542
crawl1548
illaqueate1548
intricate1548
inveigle1551
circumvent1553
felter1567
besnare1571
in trick1572
ensnare1576
overcatch1577
underfong1579
salt1580
entoil1581
comprehend1584
windlassa1586
folda1592
solicit1592
toil1592
bait1600
beset1600
engage1603
benet1604
imbrier1605
ambush1611
inknot1611
enmesha1616
trammela1616
fool1620
pinion1621
aucupate1630
fang1637
surprise1642
underreacha1652
trepan1656
ensnarl1658
stalk1659
irretiate1660
coil1748
nail1766
net1803
to rope in1840
mousetrap1870
spider1891
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10314 Forr þi þatt teȝȝ haffdenn niþ. Wiþþ himm..& wolldenn unnderrtakenn himm Off summ whatt ȝiff þeȝȝ mihhtenn.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ix. xxxvii. 400 So sire Tristram endured there grete payne, for sekenesse had vndertake hym.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)]
threac897
threapc897
begripea1000
threata1000
castea1200
chaste?c1225
takec1275
blame1297
chastya1300
sniba1300
withnima1315
undernima1325
rebukec1330
snuba1340
withtakea1340
reprovec1350
chastisea1375
arate1377
challenge1377
undertake1377
reprehenda1382
repreync1390
runta1398
snapea1400
underfoc1400
to call to account1434
to put downc1440
snebc1440
uptakec1440
correptc1449
reformc1450
reprise?c1450
to tell (a person) his (also her, etc.) own1450
control1451
redarguec1475
berisp1481
to hit (cross) one over (of, on) the thumbs1522
checkc1530
admonish1541
nip1548
twig?1550
impreve1552
lesson1555
to take down1562
to haul (a person) over the coals1565
increpate1570
touch1570
school1573
to gather up1577
task1580
redarguate?1590
expostulate1592
tutor1599
sauce1601
snip1601
sneap1611
to take in tax1635
to sharp up1647
round1653
threapen1671
reprimand1681
to take to task1682
document1690
chapter1693
repulse1746
twink1747
to speak to ——1753
haul1795
to pull up1799
carpet1840
rig1841
to talk to1860
to take (a person) to the woodshed1882
rawhide1895
to tell off1897
to tell (someone) where he or she gets off1900
to get on ——1904
to put (a person) in (also into) his, her place1908
strafe1915
tick1915
woodshed1935
to slap (a person) down1938
sort1941
bind1942
bottle1946
mat1948
ream1950
zap1961
elder1967
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xi. 89 ‘Wher-of serueth lawe,’ quod lewte, ‘if no lyf vndertoke it, Falsenesse ne faytrye’.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 133 He wente to Scotlonde wiþ grete indingnacioun, for Wilfrede vndertook hym for he hylde vnlawfulliche Esterday.
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) i. xix. 19 I haue ful oftymes for thy mysdedys undertake the.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum lxv. 290 Whan he was come, the Emperour vndirtoke hym of the cryme that he did to Guy.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. cliii And he wold dysherite the good erle..for encheson that he undertoke hym of his wikkedness.
1691 A. Gavin Frauds Romish Monks (ed. 3) 53 When he was in the company of Monks, who were not Reformed,..he would undertake them in a high manner, yea, with Insolence it self.
a. To accept, receive willingly. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > approve of, accept, or sanction [verb (transitive)]
loveeOE
underfoc1000
underfong?c1225
undertakea1250
provec1300
allowa1325
favour1340
approvec1380
seem?c1450
conprovec1503
avow1530
rectify1567
annuate1585
to be for1590
sancite1597
improve1603
applauda1616
acclamate1624
resenta1646
own1649
comprobate1660
sanction1797
likea1825
approbate1833
to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1895
agree1900
endorse1914
condone1962
a1250 Ancr. R. 114 He..underueng [Titus MS. undertoc] hit edmodliche.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 917 And þou, man, þat has vndertaken Þi wijf red, and min for-saken, Ne sal þou nawight þar wit win.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 9984 For he wulde nat men hyt forsoke, But þat alle men hyt vndyrtoke.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 60 Þe barons said,..Þare trespas we vndertake opon alle our fee.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9064 Yee rede me nu, for drightin sake, Your consail wil i vndertak.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > receiving > receive [verb (transitive)] > be given
underfoc888
afangOE
underfongc1175
getc1300
latchc1300
undertake1393
receivea1400
to take up1639
to come into ——1672
to fall in for1788
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. i. 98 And boxes ben broght forþ i-bounden with yre, To vndertake þe tol of vntrewe sacrifice In menynge of miracles.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 4642 I will þat he here vnder-take All þe worschip of mi land.
1623 W. Lisle in tr. Ælfric Saxon Treat. Old & New Test. Introd. Moses,..who wrote as God himself directed..while he abode with God upon Mount Sinai..& undertook [OE. orig., underfeng] his law.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)]
yemec897
understandc1000
beseea1225
heeda1225
bihedec1250
tentc1330
to look into ——c1350
rewardc1350
undertakea1382
considerc1385
recorda1393
behold?a1400
receivea1425
advertc1425
attend1432
advertise?a1439
regard1526
respect1543
eye?c1550
mind1559
panse1559
to take knowledge of1566
to consider of1569
suspect1590
pass1609
matter1652
watch1676
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. ii. 2 Bowe in thyn ere, and vndertac [L. suscipe] the wrdis of vndirstonding.
a1400 St. Alexius 54 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 175 His fadir sette him sone to boke And wele clergie he vndir~toke.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. iii. sig. O7 Whose voice so soone as he did vndertake, Eftsoones he stood as still as any stake. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)]
yknoweOE
acknowOE
anyeteOE
latchc1000
undernimc1000
understandc1000
underyetec1000
afindOE
knowOE
seeOE
onfangc1175
takec1175
underfindc1200
underfonga1300
undertakea1300
kenc1330
gripea1340
comprehend1340
comprendc1374
espyc1374
perceivea1387
to take for ——?1387
catcha1398
conceivea1398
intenda1400
overtakea1400
tenda1400
havec1405
henta1450
comprise1477
skilla1500
brook1548
apprend1567
compass1576
perstanda1577
endue1590
sound1592
engrasp1593
in1603
fathom1611
resent1614
receivea1616
to take up1617
apprehend1631
to take in1646
grasp1680
understumblec1681
forstand1682
savvy1686
overstand1699
uptake1726
nouse1779
twig1815
undercumstand1824
absorb1840
sense1844
undercumstumble1854
seize1855
intelligize1865
dig1935
read1956
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2050 Noe wit þat mantil woke, His sun hething he vnder-toke.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 307 And be þe hette þou vnderta þe hali gost comms of hem tua.
a1400–50 Alexander 2967 Sone þis gouernour of grece is of þis gaude ware,..& vndire~tuke he touched of him-selfe.
c1440 York Myst. xxiii. 23 Ȝe cowde noght vndyr-take The tales þat I ȝou tolde.
?1510 T. More tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola Lyfe I. Picus sig. c.iii While she spake of ye seconde deth & euer lasting: & he vndirtoke her of ye first deth & temporall.
4. elliptical.1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 3 If any one would vndertake the honour and precedence of Britaine before other Realmes in serious maner.1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. iii. 37 His friends,..desired him to æstimate it at 50. minæ, promising to undertake the sum.† f. To guarantee to cure. Obsolete.† g. To be surety for. Obsolete. rare.
a. To take upon oneself; to take in hand.Sometimes contextually ‘to enter upon, begin’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake [verb (transitive)]
underfoc893
fandOE
onfangOE
undernimc1000
takec1175
to take tillc1175
to take toa1250
underfongc1330
undertakea1340
to take in (also on) handa1350
undertakec1385
attamec1386
to take in (also on) handc1390
embrace1393
emprisec1410
to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410
to go upon ——c1450
enterprise?1473
to set (one's) hand to1477
go?a1500
accept1524
assume1530
to hent in (also upon) handc1540
to swallow up1544
to take to task1546
to go into ——?1548
to set in hand1548
to fare about1563
entertain1569
undergo1606
to set about ——1611
to take up1660
to come at ——1901
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxiv. 7 A ȝoungman dredis noght to vndirtake þe peril þat he is slane in.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 807 He which þat no þyng vnder-taketh No þyng ne acheueth.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4795 I am all redi bun Our aller nedes vnder ta.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4642 I wil him do at vnder-tak þe wardanscipp of al mi land.
1404 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 20 The same cuntrees have undertake the seges of hem til thei ben wonnen.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxvi. 549 Telle me..what he sayeth of this quarell that ye have vndertake.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. liv. 115 The..offices of that mysticall administration..which he voluntarily vndertooke.
a1628 J. Preston Treat. Effectual Faith (1630) 8 There~fore they vndertake the businesse, they goe about the enterprize, and it comes to naught.
1654 T. Gataker Disc. Apol. 53 [They] are readie to undertake more than they are able to undergo, or to go through with.
1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 1 Apr. (1965) I. 330 I have gone a Journey not undertaken by any Christian of some 100 years.
1781 W. Cowper Table Talk 284 They, that fight for freedom, undertake The noblest cause mankind can have at stake.
1831 W. Scott Count Robert vii, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. II. 175 What is the enterprise too bold to be undertaken on such a condition!
1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest II. iii. 67 I hope you will undertake the post which I now offer you.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vi. §4. 306 Colet..was the first to undertake the reform of the Church.
b. Const. to with infinitive. (Sometimes implying a solemn pledge or promise: cf. 4c.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake [verb (transitive)]
underfoc893
fandOE
onfangOE
undernimc1000
takec1175
to take tillc1175
to take toa1250
underfongc1330
undertakea1340
to take in (also on) handa1350
undertakec1385
attamec1386
to take in (also on) handc1390
embrace1393
emprisec1410
to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410
to go upon ——c1450
enterprise?1473
to set (one's) hand to1477
go?a1500
accept1524
assume1530
to hent in (also upon) handc1540
to swallow up1544
to take to task1546
to go into ——?1548
to set in hand1548
to fare about1563
entertain1569
undergo1606
to set about ——1611
to take up1660
to come at ——1901
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)]
swearc825
hightOE
behighta1000
behestc1175
bespeakc1320
queatha1325
vow1338
avowc1374
undertakec1385
forhighta1400
forsweara1400
hest14..
promitc1422
promise1430
protest1430
to swear outa1440
to swear to ——1598
pollicitate1657
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. 71 I ne haue nat vndyr-take As of the lef a-gayn the flour to make.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 151 He..seith that he wol undertake Upon hire wordes forto stonde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3409 Now es god at vnder tak þe store tell [Gött. stori to tell] of ysaac.
c1440 Generydes 3175 Among your knyghtez all that ther is on Shall vnder take to Answer for this lande.
1494 in Lett. Rich. III & Hen. VII (Rolls) I. 389 Diuers noble personnes hanne enterprised and undertaked to hold a justis roiall.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cclix I wold first vndertake to geue ye charge vpon thennemy wt ii. legions.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iii. ii. 38 Then you must vndertake to slander him. View more context for this quotation
1637 W. Saltonstall tr. Eusebius Life Constantine 26 Constantine had undertooke..to free the Christians from his tyranny.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 935 I alone first undertook To wing the desolate Abyss. View more context for this quotation
1712 R. Blackmore Creation v. 229 That matter..in the immense from endless Ages strove, The Stagyrite thus undertakes to prove.
1754 J. Shebbeare Marriage Act II. lxviii. 297 Without this Act the Mother-in-law would scarce have undertook to have trafficked in the Commerce of a Son committed to her Care.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. i. 12 Wayland and she followed in silence the deputy usher, who undertook to be their conductor.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxi. 150 A porter..undertook to conduct me to one of the adjacent glaciers.
c. To give a formal promise or pledge that; to take upon oneself to promise or affirm; to venture to assert.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)] > pledge or undertake to give or do
sweara1154
fast?a1160
plightc1275
givec1300
undertake1393
strokea1400
warranta1400
foldc1400
pledge?a1439
affiance1523
pass1528
betroth1573
assume1602
impawna1628
gagea1642
spond1698
guarantee1820
vouch1898
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xxi. 20 Loue haþ vndertake That þis iesus of hus gentrise shal Iouste in peers Armes.
c1450 Mirk's Festial 13 He wold vndyrtake þat þay schuld want ryght noght of hor mette.
c1480 (a1400) St. James Less 606 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 167 Wil þu vndirta þat I and þai þat are with me, In gud fath sal vnschait be?
15.. Adam Bel cxxx I dare vndertake for them That true men they shal be.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 767/2 I dare undertake that he hath sayd nothynge but he wyll parforme it.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxx I..vndertake, that this communicacion shal sorte, and come to suche an effecte, that [etc.].
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 63 Sir Richard Moryson (..whom he would vndertake to be as worthy in his profession, as any of his time).
a1649 J. Winthrop Hist. New Eng. (1825) (modernized text) I. 145 Mr. Maverick came and undertook that the offenders should be forthcoming.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 434 He undertook to me, that the King should ask me no question.
1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein III. viii. 213 I have ridden..to present you with this letter..having undertaken to your father that it should be delivered without delay.
1895 I. K. Funk et al. Standard Dict. Eng. Lang. II. (at cited word) I'll undertake I can run faster than you.
d. I (dare) undertake, added to a statement.
ΚΠ
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. xi. 108 Þei two, as Ich hope.., Schul wisse þe to Dowel, I dar vndertake.
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 175 Wel coude he peynte, I vndirtake, That sich ymage coude make.
a1400 Pistill of Susan 208 Ȝit schal trouþe hem a-taynt, I dar vnder-take.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 18 The fals goddys doth ye forsake,..Wych be not ellys, I undyrtake, But gold or sylvyr, stonys or tre.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Lion & Mouse l. 1448 in Poems (1981) 58 Thy fals excuse..Sall not auaill ane myte, I vnderta.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. i. 10 You have gallants among you, I dare undertake, that have made the Virginia voyage.
e. With ellipse of infinitive or object clause.
ΚΠ
c1440 Generides 7006 A rich woman I shal you make, That dar I wel vndretake.
1638 in Hamilton Papers (1880) 2 They [were] injoyned to dou ther best, and to goe presentely home, which they undertuck.
1651 in E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 257 Hee himselfe goes into Plimouth till all the articles be confirmed by Act of Parliament, which they have under~taken.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)] > guarantee > guarantee to cure
undertake1479
1479 in C. L. Kingsford Stonor Lett. & Papers (1919) II. 88 And [= if] he may kepe him alive till Tuesday none, he will undertake him.
1480 in C. L. Kingsford Stonor Lett. & Papers (1919) II. 100 The ffesisicion wolle do his cunnyng uppon me, but undertake me he wol not.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge or deposit as security [verb (transitive)] > be or give surety for
wage1362
awarranta1400
pledge?a1439
warrant1478
to seal under1523
warrantise?1533
borrow1609
undertake1609
suretya1616
stipulate1737
guaranty1753
guarantee1797
1609 W. Shakespeare Louers Complaint in Sonnets sig. L2 Lending..credent soule, to that strong bonded oth, That shall preferre and vndertake my troth.
h. To venture. U.S.
ΚΠ
1869 H. B. Stowe Oldtown Fireside Stories (1871) 181 Tom thought he'd try bein' familiar, and he undertook to put his arm round Miry.
5.
a. To take in charge; to accept the duty of attending to or looking after.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > assume care, protection, or custody of
undernimc1175
undertakec1300
to have, take, give (the) charge of1389
godfather1651
to have, take in charge1785
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 377 [They] seyden, he moucthe hem [sc. the children] best loke, Yif þat he hem vndertoke.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13112 Þe kyng dide his prisons loke Wiþ wardeyns þat hem vndertoke.
1382 J. Wyclif Psalms iii. 6 I sleep, and was a slepe, and ful out ros; for the Lord vndertoc me.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) lxi. 251 Thow shalt bid me..to kepe welle thi suster... And I shalle thenne vndir-take hir.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII ii. i. 98 To th' water side I must conduct your Grace; Then giue my Charge vp to Sir Nicholas Uaux, Who vndertakes you to your end. View more context for this quotation
1629 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 101 The holy Ghost undertakes every man amongst us, and would make every man fit for Gods service.
1658 R. Allestree Pract. Christian Graces; or, Whole Duty of Man Pref. sig. a8 If a Physician should undertake a patient that were in some desperate disease, and by his skill bring him..out of it.
1795 A. Hughes Jemima I. 60 Mrs. Wellon declared her readiness to undertake her.
1814 Ld. Byron Lett. (1875) 436 I am going to be married... Miss Milbanke is the good-natured person who has under~taken me.
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles xiii. 237 He was rather chasing away diseases..than himself undertaking them.
1892 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Slave of Lamp xv It fell to Hilda's lot to undertake the Frenchman.
b. To engage with, enter into combat with.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > [verb (transitive)] > begin hostilities against
undertake1470
banner1588
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > fight with [verb (transitive)]
fightOE
strugglec1386
wrestle1398
cope witha1467
undertake1470
to set one's foot by1536
skirmc1540
make1542
to break blows, words with1589
combata1592
to take up1600
warsle1606
stoush1924
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xix. x. 788 Syre Vrre..and sir Alphegus..encountred to gyders for veray enuy, and soo eyther vndertook other to the Vtteraunce.
1616 B. Jonson Cynthias Revels (rev. ed.) v. iv, in Wks. I. 242 Sir, he shall yeeld you all the honor of a competent aduersarie, if you please to vnder-take him.
1667 Second Advice in Second & Third Advice to Painter 13 As if in our Reproach the Winds and Seas, Would undertake the Dutch, whilst we take ease.
c. To take in hand to deal with (a person).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake [verb (transitive)] > tackle or proceed to deal with > specifically a person
undertakea1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. iii. 55 By my troth I would not vndertake her in this company. Is that the meaning of Accost? View more context for this quotation
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. iv. 203 The King casually coming thither.., undertook the Priest himself, though we never read before of his Majesties disputing.
1683 W. Cave Ecclesiastici 58 An ancient Confessor,..unskill'd in the Tricks and Methods of disputing,..offered himself to undertake him.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > taking possession > take possession of [verb (transitive)] > take upon oneself
teec897
assume1447
to take on (also upon) one(self)c1515
assumpt1572
undertake1596
satchel1839
1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) x. lv. 245 Whilst she, in France, did vndertake our royall Armes and Stile.
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 115 It changeth..alwayes into the colour of that which is next it, except red and white, which colours it cannot easily vndertake.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. ii. 108 You are like to Sir Vincentio. His name and credite shal you vndertake . View more context for this quotation
7. To conduct the funeral of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > obsequies > [verb (transitive)] > conduct funeral of
undertake1900
1900 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 97/1 Urijah..gave a notable proof of his filial affection, by gracefully and successfully ‘under~taking’ his father.
II. intransitive.† 8. To enter upon, commit oneself to, an enterprise. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)]
found12..
to take on (also upon) one(self)a1300
assay1330
study1340
to put (also lay, set, etc.) one's hand to the ploughc1384
intendc1385
pressc1390
to put oneself in pressc1390
gatherc1400
undertakec1405
sayc1425
to fall in hand with (also to do (something))c1450
setc1485
obligea1500
essay?1515
attend1523
supprise1532
to set in foot1542
enterprise1547
address1548
to set in hand1548
prove1612
to make it one's businessa1628
engage1646
embark1647
bend1694
to take hold1868
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 407 Hardy he was and wys to vndertake.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 539 He was the man that pryncipall wndirtuk, That fyrst compild in dyt the Latyne buk.
1605 B. Jonson Sejanus iv. i. 163 No ill should force the Subiect vndertake Against the Soueraigne. View more context for this quotation
1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 215 The sonne-in-law undertakes against the father in law, and the brothers are at division.
9. To give a pledge or promise; to enter into a compact or contract.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] > enter into or pledge oneself
covenantc1440
bind1488
undertake1572
engage1604
pre-engage1652
subscribe1680
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 574 Schir Rolland..left the Coilȝear to cum, as he had vndertane.
1608 in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) I. 84 His brother, whom..he hath now sent for up to undertake and underwrite with him.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 74 The worst on mee must light,..for so I undertook Before thee. View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 129 I, as I undertook,..Have found him. View more context for this quotation
10.
a. To become surety or security, to make oneself answerable or responsible, for a person, fact, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > give assurance or stand surety [verb (intransitive)]
to lay one's life, head, to wed971
to find (take) God, Mahoun, St. Blase, St. George, etc. to borrowa1330
again-behotea1382
to make (also do) faitha1382
pledge1458
to make (also give) warrantisea1535
undertake1548
subscribe1600
underwrite1623
seal1633
underwritea1657
hedge1676
vouch1687
to stand surety (or security)1776
to take warrant on oneself1828
stipulate1829
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Spondere pro aliquo, to vndertake for one.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 131/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II He brought also his two other brethren, for whome he had vndertaken.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 433 But on mine honour dare I vndertake, For good Lord Titus innocence in all. View more context for this quotation
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 323 He..confessed hee would vndertake for the Wolfe, if they would set him at liberty.
1655 M. Casaubon Treat. Enthvsiasme (1656) 294 It shall not trouble me, who undertake not for the truth of it.
1690 J. Locke Toleration ii, in Wks. (1727) II. 277 You undertake for the Success of this method, if rightly used.
1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull Still in Senses v. 21 She..undertook for her Brother John's good Behaviour.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) II. 865/2 It was he who had principally undertaken for the obedience of the Argives.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. v. 162 Clive undertaking for his security, Dooloob Ram joined the camp.
1880 J. A. Froude Bunyan 69 His friends undertook for his appearance when he should be required.
b. To engage oneself in a promise for.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > bind by a promise [verb (reflexive)]
plighta1325
affiancec1487
undertakea1715
commit1782
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 226 As there was no reason..that..any discontents could be carried so far as to a general rising, which these men undertook for.
1790 J. Bruce Trav. Source Nile I. 260 I sailed with..three passengers, instead of one, for whom only I had undertaken.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. vi. 367 Bacon..laughed at the chimerical notion, that private men should undertake for all the commons of England.
11. colloquial. To carry on the business of a funeral undertaker. (Cf. sense 7.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > obsequies > [verb (intransitive)] > conduct business of undertaker
undertake1891
1891 Cent. Dict.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1647
v.c1175