Main Entry: un·der·take

Pronunciation: \ˌən-dər-ˈtāk\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): un·der·took \-ˈtu̇k\; un·der·tak·en \-ˈtā-kən\; un·der·tak·ing

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to take upon oneself : set about : attempt <undertake a task> <undertake to learn to swim>
2 : to put oneself under obligation to perform; also : to accept as a charge or responsibility <the lawyer who undertook the case>
3 : guarantee, promise <readily undertook that the letter should be securely conveyed — Sir Walter Scott>intransitive verb archaic : to give surety or assume responsibility