enterprise English · revision 5607

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1430|origins=la prehendere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈen.tə.praɪz/, US /ˈen.t̬ɚ.praɪz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English enterprise, [[bor|fro|entreprise|t=an undertaking]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) a noun use of the feminine past participle of [[m|fro|entreprendre|t=to undertake]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from entre- “between” and prendre “to take”,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|prehendere|t=to catch hold of, seize]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An undertaking, especially a bold or difficult one: about 1430 in the OED, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Readiness to engage in difficult or risky undertakings, a daring spirit, is from 1475.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Management or superintendence is from 1534 and obsolete.^(OED 1989) A commercial or industrial undertaking is from 1862, and engagement in such undertakings in general from 1769.^(OED 1989) ''Enterprise zone'', an area with tax breaks to encourage business, is from 1978, and ''enterprise culture'' from 1980.^(OED 1989) The verb, to undertake, is from 1485 but now rare.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1430 – an undertaking.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1475 – a daring spirit.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1862 – a business undertaking.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1978 – ''enterprise zone''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A large project, especially a bold or difficult one.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[business]] or company.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Business activity, especially that of private individuals: ''private enterprise''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Willingness to try new and difficult things; [[initiative]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[enterpriser]]

+ * [[enterpriseless]]

+ * [[enterprising]]

+ * [[microenterprise]]

+ * [[free enterprise]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[entrepreneur]]

+ * [[emprise]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}