undertake

verb

1. 1

   To take upon oneself; to start, to embark on.

   They undertook the new venture, not sure where it would lead.

   They undertook cleaning the house room by room.

   This said, he sat; and expectation held His look suspense, awaiting who appeared To second, or oppose, or undertake The perilous attempt.

2. 2

   To commit oneself (to an obligation, activity etc.).

   He undertook to exercise more in future.

   They undertook to clean the house room by room.

   […] if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us With some few bands of chosen soldiers, I’ll undertake to land them on our coast And force the tyrant from his seat by war.

3. 3

   informalTo pass a slower moving vehicle on the curbside rather than on the side closest to oncoming traffic.

4. 4

   archaicTo pledge; to assert, assure; to dare say.

   That is her ransom; I deliver her; And those two counties I will undertake Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.

   […] if those Persons who are curious in collecting either Minerals, or the Shells, Teeth, or other Parts of Animal Bodies that have been buried in the Earth, do but search the Hills after Rains, and the Sea-Shores after Storms, I dare undertake they will not lose their Labour.

5. 5

   obsoleteTo take by trickery; to trap, to seize upon.

6. 6

   obsoleteTo assume, as a character; to take on.

   Quince. […] you must needs play Pyramus. Bottom. Well, I will undertake it.

7. 7

   obsoleteTo engage with; to attack, take on in a fight.

   It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to.

8. 8

   obsoleteTo have knowledge of; to hear.

   Ne he his mouth would open unto wight, Untill that Guyon selfe unto him spake, And called Brigadore, (so was he hight,) Whose voice so soone as he did undertake, Eftsoones he stood as still as any stake,

9. 9

   obsoleteTo have or take charge of.

   To the water side I must conduct your grace; Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end.

noun

1. 1

   informalThe passing of slower traffic on the curbside rather than on the side closest to oncoming traffic.

Forms

plural

undertakes

past tense

undertook

past participle

undertaken

present participle

undertaking

third person singular

undertakes