▪ I. emprise, emprize, n. arch.
(ɛmˈpraɪz)
Forms: α. 4–5 empryse, (4 emperise), 5 emprys, enprise, ymprise, enpriss, 7 empries, 4– emprise, -ize. β. 4 enpress, em-, imprese, 4–6 imprease.
[a. OF. emprise, emprinse, com. Romanic = Pr. empreza, Sp. empresa, It. impresa:—late L. *imprensa, f. ppl. stem of *imprendĕre (in OF. emprendre) to take in hand, f. in- in + prehendĕre to take.
The 17th c. forms em-, imprese appear to be influenced by Sp. or It.; cf. empress n., impress n.2 which are ultimately the same word; the earlier enpress is difficult to explain. See also aprise.]
1. An undertaking, enterprise; esp. one of an adventurous or chivalrous nature.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 9802 Man to dei, godd for to rise, Moght nan tak elles þis emprise. 1375 Barbour Bruce iii. 276 To bryng All thar enpress to gud ending. c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1682 The lord considered that it were destruccioun to gentil blood to fighten in this emprise. 1423 Jas. I. Kingis Quair ii. i, Nature first begyneth her enprise. 1600 Fairfax Tasso ii. lxxvii, If you atchieue renowne by this empries. 1600 Holland Livy xxiii. xviii. 486 Annibal for very shame was faine to give over his imprease. 1725–6 Pope Odyss. iv. 602 Ambushed we lie, and wait the bold emprise. 1823 Scott Romance (1874) 86 The..most extravagant emprises of the heroes of romance. 1871 Browning Pr. Hohenst. 773 Dare first The great emprise. |
† b. A purpose, intent. Obs.
| c 1340 Cursor M. 6528 Þei dud aȝeynes goddes emprise. 1393 Gower Conf. III. 281 And eke I not for what emprise I shulde assote upon a nonne. |
2. abstr. Chivalric enterprise, martial prowess.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 8183 (Cott.) Knight he was o gret empris. a 1400 Octouian 1060 Ley on strokes with good empryse. c 1500 Lancelot 3455 The worschip of knychthed and empryss. 1667 Milton P.L. xi. 642 Giants of mightie Bone, and bould emprise. 1782 H. More David i. 27 Let not thy youth be dazzled..With deeds of bold emprise. 1812 Byron Ch. Har. ii. xxxviii, He..whose..foes Shrunk from his deeds of chivalrous emprize. 1863 Longfellow Wayside Inn i. Interl. 37 The deeds of high emprise, I sing! |
† b. Difficulty, greatness of undertaking. Obs.
| c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶617 Him thinkith it is so gret emprise for to undertake to doon werkes of goodnes. 1393 Gower Conf. III. 252 It is..of none emprise To speke a word. |
† c. Pre-occupation, absorption of thought. Obs.
| c 1500 Lancelot 389 The vanyteis of slep..causith of sum maner influens, Empriss of thoght, ore superfleuytee. |
† 3. Renown, glory, distinction. Obs.
| c 1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 1937 This goode ladie of high emprise Did him kisse in herti wise. c 1500 Lancelot 269 He hath the worschip and emprise. |
† b. Value, estimation. Obs. [? Influenced by price.]
| 1375 Barbour Bruce x. 507 The Erll..hye Enpriss Set ay apon Souerane bounte. 1393 Gower Conf. III. 147 But Manachaz saith other wise, That wine is of the more emprise. |
† 4. ? Spoil, prey. Obs.
| a 1400 Octouian 769 Florent..tok of foweles greet empryse. |
▪ II. † emˈprise, v. Obs.
Also 5 en-, empryse.
[f. prec. n.]
trans. To undertake, take on oneself.
| c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶329 Presumpcioun is whan a man undertakith and emprisith that him oughte not to do. 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. Pref. 3, I haue enprysed..to reduce this sayd book in to our englysshe. 1490 ― Eneydos 3, I knowleche my selfe ignorant of connynge to enpryse on me so hie and noble a werke. 1590 Three Lords & Ladies Lond. in Hazl. Dodsley VI. 376 Each in honour of his mistress, Hath here empris'd the challenge of his right. a 1608 Sackville Dk. Buckingham lviii. (D.), Thereto trusting I emprised the same. |
Hence emˈprising ppl. a., enterprising, adventurous.
| a 1844 Campbell Lines Departure Emigrants, Go forth and prosper then, emprising band. |