enterprise
Definitions
A business or company
企业，公司
A bold or difficult project or undertaking
（大胆或艰巨的）事业，事业；活动
Initiative, drive, and willingness to take risks
进取心，事业心，魄力
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Old French entreprise, the past participle of entreprendre: entre- (among, into the middle of, = Latin inter) + prise (to take, ← prehendere) = 'to take in hand, to undertake.' To launch an enterprise is to grab hold of a bold project and run with it. From there the word spread to mean the business itself, and the can-do spirit behind it.
Root prehens still carries 16 more wordsWhy It Means This
enterprise carries three layers that all trace back to one image — taking a project in hand. First the act (a bold undertaking), then the organization that does such things (a business), then the personal quality needed to attempt them (initiative, drive). In tech, 'enterprise' has narrowed again to mean large-company software (enterprise customers, enterprise plan).
Example Sentences
- 1.
She runs a small enterprise selling handmade jewellery.
- 2.
Building the bridge was a huge engineering enterprise.
- 3.
The job calls for energy and enterprise.