undertake

UNDERTA'KE, verb transitive preterit tense undertook; participle passive 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 intransitive 1. To take upon or assume any business or province. O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Isaiah 38:14. 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.