enterprise
pronunciation
How to pronounce enterprise in British English:
UK [ˈentəpraɪz]
How to pronounce enterprise in American English:
US [ˈentərpraɪz]
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- Noun:
- a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
- an organization created for business ventures
- readiness to embark on bold new ventures
Word Origin
- enterprise
- enterprise: [15] Enterprise is the Romancelanguage equivalent of the native English formation undertaking. It comes from the past participle of Old French entreprendre, a compound verb formed from entre ‘between’ and prendre ‘take’ (a word with many relatives in English, from comprehend to surprise). The original Old French version of the word was emprise (from Vulgar Latin *imprendere ‘undertake’, in which the prefix was in- rather than inter-), and English actually borrowed this in the 13th century; it survived as an archaism into the 19th century.The underlying meaning of both versions is probably ‘taking something in or between one’s hands’ so as to do something about it.=> apprehend, comprehend, comprise, surprise
- enterprise (n.)
- early 15c., "an undertaking," formerly also enterprize, from Old French enterprise "an undertaking," noun use of fem. past participle of entreprendre "undertake, take in hand" (12c.), from entre- "between" (see entre-) + prendre "to take," contraction of prehendere (see prehensile). Abstract sense of "adventurous disposition, readiness to undertake challenges, spirit of daring" is from late 15c.
Example
- 1. Free enterprise and democracy sustain each other .
- 2. It is now a global enterprise with roots in india .
- 3. By contrast , enterprise implies a positive sum game .
- 4. In the 19th century its enterprise produced splendid results .
- 5. Indeed , the enterprise of such people might do just that .