Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Venture?

\Ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [Aphetic form of OE. aventure. See {Adventure}.] 1. An undertaking of chance or danger; the risking of something upon an event which can not be foreseen with certainty; a hazard; a risk; a speculation. I, in this venture, double gains pursue. --Dryden. 2. An event that is not, or can not be, foreseen; an accident; chance; hap; contingency; luck. --Bacon. 3. The thing put to hazard; a stake; a risk; especially, something sent to sea in trade. My ventures are not in one bottom trusted. --Shak. {At a venture}, at hazard; without seeing the end or mark; without foreseeing the issue; at random. A certain man drew a bow at a venture. --1 Kings xxii. 34. A bargain at a venture made. --Hudibras. Note: The phrase at a venture was originally at aventure, that is, at adventure.
\Ven"ture\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ventured}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Venturing}.] 1. To hazard one's self; to have the courage or presumption to do, undertake, or say something; to dare. --Bunyan. 2. To make a venture; to run a hazard or risk; to take the chances. Who freights a ship to venture on the seas. --J. Dryden, Jr. {To venture at}, or {To venture on} or {upon}, to dare to engage in; to attempt without any certainty of success; as, it is rash to venture upon such a project. ``When I venture at the comic style.'' --Waller.
\Ven"ture\, v. t. 1. To expose to hazard; to risk; to hazard; as, to venture one's person in a balloon. I am afraid; and yet I'll venture it. --Shak. 2. To put or send on a venture or chance; as, to venture a horse to the West Indies. 3. To confide in; to rely on; to trust. [R.] A man would be well enough pleased to buy silks of one whom he would not venture to feel his pulse. --Addison.