Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French, from Old French entreprendre to undertake, from entre- inter- + prendre to take; more at PRIZE
Pronunciation : en-t&(r)-"prIz
Function : noun
Date : 15th century
1. city in Alabama (USA); worldwide auto rental company. initiative, boldness, adventurous spirit; undertaking, challenging project; company, firm, business. enterprise\en"ter*prise\ , n. [f. enterprise, fr. entreprendre to undertake; entre between (l. inter) + prendre to take. see:
inter, and emprise.].
2. 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. their hands can not perform their enterprise. v.
3. 2. willingness or eagerness to engage in labor which requires boldness, promptness, energy, and like qualities; as, a man of great enterprise.enterprise \en"ter*prise\, v. t.
4. to undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon. [r.] the business must be enterprised this night. what would i not renounce or enterprise for you! otway.
5. to treat with hospitality; to entertain. [obs.] him at the threshold met, and well did enterprise.enterprise \en"ter*prise\, v. i. to undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult. [r.].
6. 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.
7. Willingness or eagerness to engage in labor which requires boldness, promptness, energy, and like qualities; as, a man of great enterprise.
8. To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
9. To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
10. To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult. a purposeful or industrious undertaking ; "he had doubts about the whole enterprise" readiness to embark on bold new ventures an organization created for business ventures; "a growing enterprise must have a bold leader".
11. 1. An enterprise is a company or business, often a small one. There are plenty of small industrial enterprises.
12. An enterprise is something new, difficult, or important that you do or try to do. Horse breeding is indeed a risky enterprise. = venture.
13. Enterprise is the activity of managing companies and businesses and starting new ones. He is still involved in voluntary work promoting local enterprise. a national program of subsidies to private enterprise.
14. approval Enterprise is the ability to think of new and effective things to do, together with an eagerness to do them. the spirit of enterprise worthy of a free and industrious people.