| 释义 |
▪ I. emprise, emprize, n. arch.|ɛmˈpraɪz|
Forms: α. 4–5 empryse, (4 emperise), 5 emprys, enprise, ymprise, enpriss, 7 empries, 4– emprise, -ize. β. 4 enpress, em-, imprese, 4–6 imprease.
[a. OF. emprise, emprinse, com. Romanic = Pr. empreza, Sp. empresa, It. impresa:—late L. *imprensa, f. ppl. stem of *imprendĕre (in OF. emprendre) to take in hand, f. in- in + prehendĕre to take.
The 17th c. forms em-, imprese appear to be influenced by Sp. or It.; cf. empress n., impress n.2 which are ultimately the same word; the earlier enpress is difficult to explain. See also aprise.]
1. An undertaking, enterprise; esp. one of an adventurous or chivalrous nature.
a1300Cursor M. 9802 Man to dei, godd for to rise, Moght nan tak elles þis emprise. 1375Barbour Bruce iii. 276 To bryng All thar enpress to gud ending. c1386Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1682 The lord considered that it were destruccioun to gentil blood to fighten in this emprise. 1423Jas. I. Kingis Quair ii. i, Nature first begyneth her enprise. 1600Fairfax Tasso ii. lxxvii, If you atchieue renowne by this empries. 1600Holland Livy xxiii. xviii. 486 Annibal for very shame was faine to give over his imprease. 1725–6Pope Odyss. iv. 602 Ambushed we lie, and wait the bold emprise. 1823Scott Romance (1874) 86 The..most extravagant emprises of the heroes of romance. 1871Browning Pr. Hohenst. 773 Dare first The great emprise.
†b. A purpose, intent. Obs.
c1340Cursor M. 6528 Þei dud aȝeynes goddes emprise. 1393Gower Conf. III. 281 And eke I not for what emprise I shulde assote upon a nonne.
2. abstr. Chivalric enterprise, martial prowess.
a1300Cursor M. 8183 (Cott.) Knight he was o gret empris. a1400Octouian 1060 Ley on strokes with good empryse. c1500Lancelot 3455 The worschip of knychthed and empryss. 1667Milton P.L. xi. 642 Giants of mightie Bone, and bould emprise. 1782H. More David i. 27 Let not thy youth be dazzled..With deeds of bold emprise. 1812Byron Ch. Har. ii. xxxviii, He..whose..foes Shrunk from his deeds of chivalrous emprize. 1863Longfellow Wayside Inn i. Interl. 37 The deeds of high emprise, I sing!
†b. Difficulty, greatness of undertaking. Obs.
c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋617 Him thinkith it is so gret emprise for to undertake to doon werkes of goodnes. 1393Gower Conf. III. 252 It is..of none emprise To speke a word.
†c. Pre-occupation, absorption of thought. Obs.
c1500Lancelot 389 The vanyteis of slep..causith of sum maner influens, Empriss of thoght, ore superfleuytee.
†3. Renown, glory, distinction. Obs.
c1430Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 1937 This goode ladie of high emprise Did him kisse in herti wise. c1500Lancelot 269 He hath the worschip and emprise.
†b. Value, estimation. Obs. [? Influenced by price.]
1375Barbour Bruce x. 507 The Erll..hye Enpriss Set ay apon Souerane bounte. 1393Gower Conf. III. 147 But Manachaz saith other wise, That wine is of the more emprise.
†4. ? Spoil, prey. Obs.
a1400Octouian 769 Florent..tok of foweles greet empryse.
▪ II. † emˈprise, v. Obs.
Also 5 en-, empryse.
[f. prec. n.]
trans. To undertake, take on oneself.
c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋329 Presumpcioun is whan a man undertakith and emprisith that him oughte not to do. 1485Caxton Chas. Gt. Pref. 3, I haue enprysed..to reduce this sayd book in to our englysshe. 1490― Eneydos 3, I knowleche my selfe ignorant of connynge to enpryse on me so hie and noble a werke. 1590Three Lords & Ladies Lond. in Hazl. Dodsley VI. 376 Each in honour of his mistress, Hath here empris'd the challenge of his right. a1608Sackville Dk. Buckingham lviii. (D.), Thereto trusting I emprised the same.
Hence emˈprising ppl. a., enterprising, adventurous.
a1844Campbell Lines Departure Emigrants, Go forth and prosper then, emprising band. |