Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - enterprise

 noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from entreprendre to undertake, from entre- inter- + prendre to take — more at prize  Date: 15th century  1. a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky  2. readiness to engage in daring or difficult action ; initiative showed great ~ in dealing with the crisis  3.  a. a unit of economic organization or activity; especially a business organization  b. a systematic purposeful activity agriculture is the main economic ~ among these people