word of the day: emprise

The word of the day is emprise:

Etymology:  < Old French emprise, emprinse, Common Romanic = Provençal empreza, Spanish empresa, Italian impresa < late Latin *imprensa, < participial stem of *imprendĕre (in Old French emprendre) to take in hand, < in- in + prehendĕre to take.

arch.

1.a. An undertaking, enterprise; esp. one of an adventurous or chivalrous nature. 

b. A purpose, intent. Obs. 

2.a. abstr. Chivalric enterprise, martial prowess. 

b. Difficulty, greatness of undertaking. Obs. 

c. Pre-occupation, absorption of thought. Obs. 

3.a. Renown, glory, distinction. Obs. 

b. Value, estimation. Obs.  [? Influenced by price n.] 

4. ? Spoil, prey. Obs. (OED)

"So when Galton designed an equally elegant experiment to hunt for gemmules in rabbits, Darwin heartily encouraged the emprise."

 - Sam Kean, The Violinist's Thumb and Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by our Genetic Code