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enterprise

[en-ter-prahyz]
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noun
  1. a project undertaken or to be undertaken, especially one that is important or difficult or that requires boldness or energy: To keep the peace is a difficult enterprise.
  2. a plan for such a project.
  3. participation or engagement in such projects: Our country was formed by the enterprise of resolute men and women.
  4. boldness or readiness in undertaking; adventurous spirit; ingenuity.
  5. a company organized for commercial purposes; business firm.
  6. (initial capital letter) Military. the first nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1961, with a displacement of 89,000 tons (80,723 metric tons) and eight reactors.
  7. (initial capital letter, italics) U.S. Aerospace. the first space shuttle, used for atmospheric flight and landing tests.
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Origin of enterprise

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French, noun use of feminine of entrepris (past participle of entreprendre to undertake) < Latin inter- inter- + prēnsus grasped, seized, contraction of prehēnsus, equivalent to pre- pre- + hend- take hold of + -tus past participle suffix
Related formsen·ter·prise·less, adjective

Synonyms

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1. plan, undertaking, venture. 4. drive, aggressiveness, push, ambition.

Enterprise

[en-ter-prahyz]
noun
  1. a city in S Alabama.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

firmbusinesscompanytradeprojectprogramventureactivityoperationindustryresourceessayaffairstakecampaignflierhousemovecrusadeproposition

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British Dictionary definitions for enterprise

enterprise

noun
  1. a project or undertaking, esp one that requires boldness or effort
  2. participation in such projects
  3. readiness to embark on new ventures; boldness and energy
    1. initiative in business
    2. (as modifier)the enterprise culture
  5. a business unit; a company or firm
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Derived Formsenterpriser, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Old French entreprise (n), from entreprendre from entre- between (from Latin: inter-) + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere to grasp
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for enterprise

n.

early 15c., "an undertaking," from Old French enterprise "an undertaking," noun use of fem. past participle of entreprendre "undertake, take in hand," from entre- "between" (see entre-) + prendre "to take," contraction of prehendere (see prehensile). Abstract sense of "readiness to undertake challenges, spirit of daring" is from late 15c.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with enterprise

enterprise

see free enterprise.

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.