How do you pronounce emprise?

The recorded pronunciation is /ɛmˈpɹaɪz/.

Where does emprise come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

emprise

/ɛmˈpɹaɪz/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.39 in modern English

Syllables: em-prise
IPA: /ɛmˈpɹaɪz/

Scrabble Score

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Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An enterprise or endeavor, especially a quest or adventure.

Archaic

noun

The qualities which prompt one to undertake difficult and dangerous exploits; chivalric prowess.

Archaic

verb

To undertake.

Obsolete

Example Sentences

"[N]oble minds of yore allyed were, / In braue poursuit of cheualrous emprize, / That none did others safety despize […]"
"the deeds of love and high emprise"
"And as he is, who unwills what he willed, / And by new thoughts doth his intention change, / So that from his design he quite withdraws, / Such I became, upon that dark hillside, / Because, in thinking, I consumed the emprise, / Which was so very prompt in the beginning."
"Nothing short of an imperative sense of duty could tempt me to set forth on that most perilous emprise, a discussion of the American language."
"I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise; / But here thy sword can do thee little stead."

Etymology

Noun is from Middle English emprise, from Old French emprise, emprinse, from Late Latin *imprensa, from Latin in- + prehendere (“to take”). The verb is from emprisen, from the same source.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *gʰed-, emprise, *imprensa, in-

Usage

Inflected Forms

emprises (plural) emprize (alternative, obsolete) emprises (present, singular) emprising (participle, present) emprised (participle, past) emprised (past)

Rhymes With

guys eyes size rise surprise lies prize tries wise supplies dies ties