undertake

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

under- +‎ take (after undernim).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ʌndə'teɪk/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -eɪk

[edit] Verb

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

1. (obsolete, transitive) To take by trickery; to trap, to seize upon.
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book IX:

     So Sir Trystram endured there grete payne, for syknes had undirtake hym – and that ys the grettist payne a presoner may have [...].

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

   He undertook a course of medication.

3. (archaic, intransitive) To pledge; to assert, assure; to dare say.
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VII:

     "I have now aspyed one knyght," he seyde, "that woll play hys play at the justys, I undirtake."

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

   He undertook to take more exercise in future.

5. (informal) to overtake on the wrong side.

   I hate people that try and undertake on the motorway.

[edit] Usage notes

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

[edit] Derived terms

• undertaker

[edit] Translations