Now rare. [f. as prec. + -ING2.]
† 1. Ready to undertake an enterprise, task, etc., esp. one involving some danger or risk; enterprising, bold, Obs.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 2723. In ȝone okene wode an oste are arrayede, Vndir-takande mene of thiese owte londes.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Bodl. 546), Prol. Men ben bettre rydyng,… and more vndirtakynge, and bettir knowynge of alle contreys and of alle passages.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 60. His men war bathe wys, and hardy, and undertakand.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, V. iii. § 12. 486. A thousand men, vnder … an vndertaking and expert Captaine.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. iii. § 41. Rome … entertaining, and rewarding him as a man of a daring, and undertaking spirit.
1675. trans. Palafox’s Conq. China, xiii. 261. The General, who was very ambitious, undertaking, and successful.
1713. Steele, Englishm., No. 24. 157. Daring and undertaking Fellows have ever been the Darlings of the Populace.
transf. 1561. T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, III. Hh iij b. Inventions, merry conceites, vndertaking enterprises, sports [etc.].
† b. ? Engaged in literary work. (Cf. UNDERTAKER 6 c.) Obs.
1761. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, IV. xx. See!—if he has not galloped full among the scaffolding of the undertaking critics!
† c. Prepared to act as publishers. Obs.
1822. Scott, Nigel, Introd. Epist. Their power of annoying the public will be soon limited by the difficulty of finding undertaking booksellers.
2. Pledged, bound by promise.
1785. A. Gib, Sacred Contemplations, I. II. i. 85. For these he became an undertaking Surety as their Covenant-head.
Hence Undertakingly adv., responsibly.
1665. J. Sergeant, Sure Footing, 39. What Certainty can we undertakingly promise to weaker heads, that is, to the Generality of Mankind?
