undertaken

English edit

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /ʌndə(ɹ)ˈteɪkən/
Audio (US) (file)
Audio (US) (file)
Rhymes: -eɪkən

Verb edit

undertaken

past participle of undertake

Middle English edit

Etymology edit

under- +‎ taken

Verb edit

undertaken (third-person singular simple present undertaketh, present participle undertakende, undertakynge, first-/third-person singular past indicative undertok, past participle undertaken)

To have or take charge of.
- 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Doctour of Physyckes Tale”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC, lines 81-82:
  […] therfore, for Cristes sake,
  Kepeth wel tho that ye undertake.
  (please add an English translation of this quotation)
To pledge; to assert, assure; to dare say.
- 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “(please specify the story)”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC, lines 289-291:
  As leene was his hors as is a rake,
  And he nas nat right fat, I undertake,
  But looked holwe and therto sobrely.
  (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Descendants edit

English: undertake