UNDERTAKE

contract, undertake

(verb) enter into a contractual arrangement

undertake, guarantee

(verb) promise to do or accomplish; “guarantee to free the prisoners”

undertake, set about, attempt

(verb) enter upon an activity or enterprise

undertake, take in charge

(verb) accept as a charge

undertake, tackle, take on

(verb) accept as a challenge; “I’ll tackle this difficult task”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Verb

undertake (third-person singular simple present undertakes, present participle undertaking, simple past undertook, past participle undertaken)

(transitive) To take upon oneself; to start, to embark on (a specific task etc.).

(intransitive) To commit oneself (to an obligation, activity etc.).

(informal) To overtake on the wrong side.

(archaic, intransitive) To pledge; to assert, assure; to dare say.

(obsolete, transitive) To take by trickery; to trap, to seize upon.

(obsolete) To assume, as a character; to take on.

(obsolete) To engage with; to attack, take on in a fight.

(obsolete) To have knowledge of; to hear.

(obsolete) To have or take charge of.

Usage notes

• Sense: To commit oneself. This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive.

• See English catenative verbs

Source: Wiktionary

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Un`der*take", v. t. [imp. Undertook; p. p. Undertaken; p. pr. & vb. n. Undertaking.] Etym: [Under + take.]

1. To take upon one's self; to engage in; to enter upon; to take in hand; to begin to perform; to set about; to attempt. To second, or oppose, or undertake The perilous attempt. Milton.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. To assume, as a character. [Obs.] Shak.

5. To engage with; to attack. [Obs.] It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offense to. Shak.

6. To have knowledge of; to hear. [Obs.] Spenser.

7. To take or have the charge of. [Obs.] "Who undertakes you to your end." Shak. Keep well those that ye undertake. Chaucer.

Un`der*take", v. i.

1. To take upon one's self, or assume, any business, duty, or province. O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Isa. xxxviii. 14.

2. To venture; to hazard. [Obs.] It is the cowish terror of his spirit That dare not undertake. Shak.

3. 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

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