Coffee is the second largest traded commodity in the world, next to crude oil. It’s also one of the oldest commodities, with over 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide daily.
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
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
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
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
26 November 2024
TRANSPOSITION
(noun) (music) playing in a different key from the key intended; moving the pitch of a piece of music upwards or downwards
Coffee Trivia
