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Webster 1913 Edition

Undertake

Unˊder-take′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp.
Undertook
;
p. p.
Undertaken
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Undertaking
.]
[
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.
Shakespeare
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.
Shakespeare
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.
Shakespeare
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.

Unˊder-take′

,
Verb.
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
.
Shakespeare
3.
To give a promise or guarantee; to be surety.
But on mine honor dare I
undertake

For good lord Titus' innocence in all.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Undertake

UNDERTA'KE

,
Verb.
T.
pret. undertook; pp. undertaken. [under and take.]
1.
To engage in; to enter upon; to take in hand; to begin to perform. When I undertook this work, I had a very inadequate knowledge of the extent of my labors.
2.
To covenant or contract to perform or execute. A man undertakes to erect a house, or to make a mile of canal, when he enters into stipulations for that purpose.
3.
To attempt; as when a man undertakes what he cannot perform.
4.
To assume a character. [Not in use.]
5.
To engage with; to attack.
Your lordship should not undertake every companion you offend. [Not in use.]
6.
To have the charge of.
- Who undertakes you to your end. [Not in use.]

UNDERTA'KE

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To take upon or assume any business or province.
O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Is. 38.
2.
To venture; to hazard. They dare not undertake.
3.
To promise; to be bound.
I dare undertake they will not lose their labor.
To undertake for, to be bound; to become surety for.

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