English Dictionary

undertake

/ʌndəˈteɪk/

verb

(transitive) To take upon oneself; to start, to embark on (a specific task etc.). / (intransitive) To commit oneself (to an obligation, activity etc.).

I will undertake the project and complete it on time.

意味（1）

(transitive) To take upon oneself; to start, to embark on (a specific task etc.).

This said, he sat; and expectation held

His look suspense, awaiting who appeared

To second, or oppose, or undertake

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

意味（2）

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

He undertook to exercise more in future.

意味（3）

(Britain, informal) To pass a slower moving vehicle on the curbside rather than on the side closest to oncoming traffic.

意味（4）

(archaic, intransitive) To pledge; to assert, assure; to dare say.

As leene was his hors as is a rake,

And he nas nat right fat, I undertake,

As leene was his hors as is a rake, And he nas nat right fat, I undertake, But looked holwe and therto sobrely.

意味（5）

(obsolete, transitive) To take by trickery; to trap, to seize upon.

there came fourty knyghtes to sire Darras

[…]

and they wold haue slayne sire Tristram and his two felawes

but sire Darras wold not suffre that but kepte them in pryson

[…]

So sire Tristram endured there grete payne

for sekenesse had vndertake hym

there came fourty knyghtes to sire Darras […] and they wold haue slayne sire Tristram and his two felawes but sire Darras wold not suffre that but kepte them in pryson […] So sire Tristram endured there grete payne for sekenesse had vndertake hym and that is the grettest payne a prysoner maye haue

意味（6）

(obsolete) To assume, as a character; to take on.

Quince. […] you must needs play Pyramus.

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

意味（7）

(obsolete) To engage with; to attack, take on in a fight.

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

意味（8）

(obsolete) To 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,

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,

意味（9）

(obsolete) To have or take charge of.

To the water side I must conduct your grace;

Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,

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