Venture

Ven"ture (?; 135), n. [Aphetic form of OE. aventure. See Adventure.] 1. An undertaking of chance or danger; the risking of something upon an event which can not be foreseen with certainty; a hazard; a risk; a speculation.

I, in this venture, double gains pursue.

2. An event that is not, or can not be, foreseen; an accident; chance; hap; contingency; luck. Bacon.

3. The thing put to hazard; a stake; a risk; especially, something sent to sea in trade.

My ventures are not in one bottom trusted.

At a venture, at hazard; without seeing the end or mark; without foreseeing the issue; at random.

A certain man drew a bow at a venture.

A bargain at a venture made.

☞ The phrase at a venture was originally at aventure, that is, at adventure.

Ven"ture, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ventured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Venturing.] 1. To hazard one's self; to have the courage or presumption to do, undertake, or say something; to dare. Bunyan.

2. To make a venture; to run a hazard or risk; to take the chances.

Who freights a ship to venture on the seas.

To venture at, or To venture on or upon, to dare to engage in; to attempt without any certainty of success; as, it is rash to venture upon such a project. "When I venture at the comic style." Waller.

Ven"ture, v. t. 1. To expose to hazard; to risk; to hazard; as, to venture one's person in a balloon.

I am afraid; and yet I'll venture it.

2. To put or send on a venture or chance; as, to venture a horse to the West Indies.

3. To confide in; to rely on; to trust. [R.]

A man would be well enough pleased to buy silks of one whom he would not venture to feel his pulse.