Examples
See more synonyms for undertook on Thesaurus.com verb (used with object), un·der·took, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing. 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. Show More
verb (used without object), un·der·took, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing. Archaic to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety. Show More
Origin of undertake 1150–1200; Middle English undertaken; see
under- ,
take Related forms pre·un·der·take , verb (used with object), pre·un·der·took, pre·un·der·tak·en, pre·un·der·tak·ing. Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for undertook shoulder ,
begin ,
launch ,
offer ,
try ,
initiate ,
tackle ,
commence ,
guarantee ,
covenant ,
stake ,
pledge ,
devote ,
move ,
bargain ,
stipulate ,
embark ,
promise ,
contract ,
venture Examples from the Web for undertook Contemporary Examples of undertook While in pre-trial detention, Krivov undertook two hunger strikes.
The language was not changed until Northrop Grumman undertook to build the aircraft in Palmdale.
Only they can stop this nonsense, and it will take an effort as concerted and well-organized as the one they undertook in the 70s.
In order to make some sense of these questions, I undertook a Taxonomy of American Ignorance and Misperceptions.
At his advisers' urging, he undertook a gradual and carefully orchestrated campaign to undo the damage.
Historical Examples of undertook Even she always stopped soon, if she undertook to interfere with Malbone.
The march of events was rapid even for him, who was not slow in anything he undertook .
Left to himself, Lauzanne undertook an investigating gallop on his own account.
Montacute undertook the enterprise on the 19th of October, 1330.
And after that we undertook another little campaign in Italy.
British Dictionary definitions for undertook verb -takes , -taking , -took or -taken (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 Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for undertook 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
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