[en.ter.prise] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF entreprendre to undertake, fr. entre- inter- + prendre to take--more at prize] (15c) 1: a project or undertaking that is esp. difficult, complicated, or risky
2: readiness to engage in daring action: initiative 3 a: a unit of economic organization or activity; esp: a business organization b: a systematic purposeful activity "agriculture is the main economic ~ among these people"