undertake
[uhn-der-teyk]
- to take upon oneself, as a task, performance, etc.; attempt: She undertook the job of answering all the mail.
- to promise, agree, or obligate oneself (followed by an infinitive): The married couple undertook to love, honor, and cherish each other.
- to warrant or guarantee (followed by a clause): The sponsors undertake that their candidate meets all the requirements.
- to take in charge; assume the duty of attending to: The lawyer undertook a new case.
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- Archaic. to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety.
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Origin of undertake
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for undertake
Contemporary Examples
(1) Only charities and non-profits should ask for unpaid workers to staff their operations or undertake time-consuming projects.
“However, it is still unclear to me if the U.S. and its allies are prepared to undertake such a comprehensive approach,” he says.
His gun is available to anyone willing to undertake a few minutes of Internet research.
Pronouncing illegality, governments will often undertake demolitions of slum houses.
She will be remembered as a strong leader and a person willing to undertake difficult tasks to achieve long-term objectives.
Historical Examples
Who, again, could undertake the permanent care of his mother?
VivietteWilliam J. Locke
No one must undertake a journey in the Lozre with a scantily-furnished purse.
The Roof of FranceMatilda Betham-Edwards
On no other condition, added Nicias, would he undertake the command.
Stories from ThucydidesH. L. Havell
I never give up what I once commence, and I never fail in what I undertake!
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
Well, I undertake to stand 'em off for a bit; you take the bag and run for it.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
undertake
- (tr) to contract to or commit oneself to (something) or (to do something)to undertake a job; to undertake to deliver the goods
- (tr) to attempt to; agree to start
- (tr) to take (someone) in charge
- (intr foll by for) archaic to make oneself responsible (for)
- (tr) to promise
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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 undertake
v.
c.1200, "to entrap," in the same sense as Old English underniman (cf. Dutch ondernemen, German unternehmen), of which it is a partial loan-translation, from under + take. Cf. also French entreprendre "to undertake," from entre "between, among" + prendre "to take." The under in this word may be the same one that also may form the first element of understand. Meaning "to accept" is attested from mid-13c.; that of "to take upon oneself, to accept the duty of" is from c.1300.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper