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To attempt; to undertake. All that offer to defend him. Shak.

Fig.: A return to first principles; an orderly arrangement. The task of orientation undertaken in this chapter. L. F. Ward.

The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun. "The king-becoming graces . . . perseverance, mercy, lowliness." Shak. Whose constant perseverance overcame Whate'er his cruel malice could invent. Milton.

To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any project or course begun; to maintain a purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken. Thrice happy, if they know Their happiness, and persevere upright. Milton.…

To assume or take beforehand; esp., to do or undertake without leave or authority previously obtained. Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner Shak. Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve. Milton.

To undertake a thing falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.

To essay or attempt of one's own accord; to undertake, or propose to undertake. [R.] Milton.

One who engages or undertakes; a promiser. Burrill.

One who undertakes a quest; a seeker. [Obs.] Shak.

Uttered or undertaken with too much haste or too little reflection; as, rash words; rash measures.

A member of a volunteer committee which, in default of the lawful authority, undertakes to preserve order and prevent crimes; also, sometimes, one of a band organized for the comission of violent crimes. [U.S.] A few stood neutral, or declared in favor of the Regulators. Bancroft.

To apply one's self; to undertake earnestly; -- now followed by out. If he sets industriously and sincerely to perform the commands of Christ, he can have no ground of doubting but it shall prove successful to him. Hammond.

ranking club, spade, heart, diamond, and ten outranks king or queen (but when the player undertakes to lose all the tricks, the cards rank as in whist). The value of hands depends upon the game played, trump suit, points taken, and number of matadores.

ote comparison or resemblance; sometimes, also, following inasmuch as. As a war should be undertaken upon a just motive, so a prince ought to consider the condition he is in. Swift.

ts and learned critics. The general tendency is to regard as socialistic any interference undertaken by society on behalf of the poor, . . . radical social reform which disturbs the present system of private property . . . The tendency of the present socialism is more and more to ally itself with the most advanced demo…

articular matter. -- Special bail, Bail above, or Bail to the action (Law), sureties who undertake that, if the defendant is convicted, he shall satisfy the plaintiff, or surrender himself into custody. Tomlins. Wharton (Law Dict.). -- Special constable. See under Constable. Bouvier. -- Special damage (Law), a damag…

One who undertakes anything; specifically, a godfather; a sponsor; a guardian. Puller. Shipley.

An association of persons officially authorized to undertake some duty or to negotiate some business; also, an association of persons who combine to carry out, on their own account, a financial or industrial project; as, a syndicate of bankers formed to take up and dispose of an entire issue of government bonds.…

Not to refuse or balk at; to undertake readily; to clear; as, to take a hedge or fence.

Perfect in what is undertaken; complete; going all lengths; as, a thoroughplaced Tory or Whig. If she be a thoroughplaced impostor. Sir W. Scott.