Emprise

/ɛmˈpraɪz/ noun

Definition

A bold or daring undertaking or adventure, especially a military or chivalrous quest.

Etymology

From Old French emprise, meaning 'enterprise' or 'undertaking,' derived from emprendre (to undertake), combining em- + prendre (to take), from Latin prehendere. The word originally described any ambitious project but became especially associated with knightly adventures in medieval literature.

Kelly Says

This romantic medieval word appears in Shakespeare and Spenser to describe knights' quests—it's basically the word for 'epic adventure' in the Age of Chivalry. You'll find it in fantasy novels today, but most modern readers don't recognize it as a real historical term.

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