enterprise

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. An undertaking, especially one of some scope, complication, and risk.
2. n. A business organization.
3. n. Industrious, systematic activity, especially when directed toward profit: Private enterprise is basic to capitalism.
4. n. Willingness to undertake new ventures; initiative: "Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling, and spending their lives like serfs” ( Henry David Thoreau).

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An undertaking; something projected and attempted; particularly, an undertaking of some importance, or one requiring boldness, energy, or perseverance.
2. n. An adventurous and enterprising spirit; disposition or readiness to engage in undertakings of difficulty, risk, or danger, or which require boldness, promptness, and energy.
3. n. Synonyms Adventure, venture, attempt, effort, endeavor. Energy, activity, alertness.
4. To undertake; attempt to perform or bring about.
5. To essay; venture upon.
6. To give reception to; entertain.
7. To attack, as with a malady; overcome.
8. To surround; circumstance.
9. To engage in an undertaking; essay; venture.

Wiktionary

1. n. A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
2. n. An undertaking or project, especially a daring and courageous one.
3. n. A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.
4. n. an active participation in projects
5. v. To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. That which is undertaken; something attempted to be performed; a work projected which involves activity, courage, energy, and the like; a bold, arduous, or hazardous attempt; an undertaking
2. n. Willingness or eagerness to engage in labor which requires boldness, promptness, energy, and like qualities.
3. v. rare To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
4. v. obsolete To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
5. v. rare To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. an organization created for business ventures
2. n. a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
3. n. readiness to embark on bold new ventures