[un.der.take] vb -took ; -tak.en ; -tak.ing vt (14c) 1: to take upon oneself: set about: attempt "~ a task" "~ to learn to swim"
2: to put oneself under obligation to perform; also: to accept as a charge or responsibility "the lawyer who undertook the case"
3: guarantee, promise ~ vi, archaic: to give surety or assume responsibility