enterprise
//ˈɛntəˌpɹaɪz//
Forms
- Plural
- enterprises
- present (v1)
- enterprise
- past (v2)
- enterprised
- past participle (v3)
- enterprised
- present participle
- enterprising
- 3rd person singular
- enterprises
Definitions
1.A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
- A micro-enterprise is defined as a company or business having 5 or fewer employees and a low seed capital.
- The government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are a group of financial services corporations which have been created by the United States Congress.
2.An undertaking, venture, or project, especially a daring and courageous one.
- Biosphere 2 was a scientific enterprise aimed at the exploration of the complex web of interactions within life systems.
3.A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.
- He has shown great enterprise throughout his early career.
- This loss of interest, hair, and enterprise, / Ah, if the game were poker, yes, / You might discard them, draw a full house! / But it's chess.
4.Active participation in projects.
1.To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
- The business must be enterprised this night.
2.To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2659
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Old French via Middle English and Middle French entreprise, feminine past participle of entreprendre (“to undertake”)
From entre (“in between”) + prendre (“to take”)
From Latin inter + prehendō, see prehensile.