Un'der-tāke'1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. UNDERTOOK; p. p. UNDERTAKEN; p. pr. & vb. n. UNDERTAKING.] [From under and take.]
Sense 1. To take upon one's self; to engage in; to enter upon; to take in hand; to begin to perform; to set about; to attempt.
To second, or oppose, or undertake The perilous attempt. Milton.
Sense 2. Specifically, to take solemnly or expressly upon one's self; to lay one's self under obligations, or enter into stipulations, or covenant or contract, to perform or to execute.
I'll undertake to land them on our coast. Shak.
Sense 3. To assume, as a character. [Obs.] Shak.
Sense 4. To engage with; to attack. [Obs.]
Your lordship should not undertake every companion you offend. Shak.
Sense 5. To have knowledge of; to hear. [Obs. and rare.] Spenser.
Sense 6. To have the charge of. [Obs.] “Who under-takes you to your end.” Shak.