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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Undertaking, vbl. n. Also: undir-, under-, wndre-, wndyr- and -takynge, -taiking, -tacking. [ME and e.m.E. vndertaking (Wyclif), undertakynge (c1400), vndyrtakynge (?a1400); Underta(k v.] Readiness to undertake a task; enterprise, zeal. 1375 Barb. vi 324.
Syk wordis spak thai of the king & for his hey wndretaking [C. vndertaking] Farlyit and ȝarnyt hym for to se 1375 Barb. ix 489.
He wes owtrageous hardy And of sa hey wndretaking [C. vndirtaking] That he haid neuer ȝeit abaysyng Off multitud off men 1456 Hay II 150/32.
Wis and of hye understanding, and of grete undertaking, rycht curtais [etc.]

b. An action undertaken, an enterprise. c1420 Wynt. viii 3350.
Be swm tresownabill wndyrtakyng [C. wndyrtakynge, W. vndirtaking] … at the Wemys by the se Poysownyd at a fest wes he 1456 Hay I 142/9.
I say thai may be na law recover wagis; for the filth of thair undertaking was in the begynnyng unhonest, unlefull, wrang-wis and condampnyt c1490 Porteous Noblenes 113 (Ch. & M.).
Quhen the wark is hie worthy & louable gif the vndirtaking turn not to perfeit end his labour passis as at noght ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. I 14.
The Earl of Traqwair … representing to the king the undertackings of the magistratts of Edinburgh 1699 Lennoxlove MS (The Duke of Hamilton) C 1/4414.
All the world are upon the catch to ruine our undertaking [sc. Darien] if they cane but gett a handle for it

c. The action of taking on (of a task, etc.). 1613 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 131.
Thair wes no recorde maid at the vndertaiking of the seruice anent that poynt nor nothing spokin thairof 1665 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 215.
Many of the most able seamen … had … absentit themselves from wndertaking the said service