emprise

Em*prise", n. Etym: [OF. emprise, fr. emprendre to undertake; pref. em- (L. in) + F. prendre to take, L. prehendere, prendere; prae before + a verb akin to E. get. See Get, and cf. Enterprise, Impresa.] [Archaic] 1. An enterprise; endeavor; adventure. Chaucer. In brave pursuit of chivalrous emprise. Spenser. The deeds of love and high emprise. Longfellow. 2. The qualifies which prompt one to undertake difficult and dangerous exploits. I love thy courage yet and bolt emprise; But here thy sword can do thee little stead. Milton. Em*prise", v. t. Defn: To undertake. [Obs.] Sackville.

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