What is "emprise"

Emprise \Em*prise"\, v. t. To undertake. [Obs.]
--Sackville.

Emprise \Em*prise"\, n. [OF. emprise, fr. emprendre to undertake; pref. em- (L. in) + F. prendre to take, L. prehendere, prendere; prae before + a verb akin to E. get. See Get, and cf. Enterprise, Impresa.] [Archaic]

1. An enterprise; endeavor; adventure.
   --Chaucer.

   In brave pursuit of chivalrous emprise.
   --Spenser.

   The deeds of love and high emprise.
   --Longfellow.

2. The qualifies which prompt one to undertake difficult and dangerous exploits.

   I love thy courage yet and bolt emprise; But here thy sword can do thee little stead.
   --Milton.

c.1300, "chivalrous endeavor," from Old French emprise (12c.) "enterprise, venture, adventure, undertaking," from Vulgar Latin *imprensa (source of Provençal empreza, Spanish empresa, Italian impresa), from *imprendere "to undertake," from in- (see in- (2)) + prehendere "to take" (see prehensile). Archaic in English; in French now with a literal sense "a hold, a grip."

n. 1 (context archaic English) An enterprise or endeavor, especially a quest or adventure. 2 (context archaic English) The qualities which prompt one to undertake difficult and dangerous exploits; chivalric prowess. vb. (context obsolete English) To undertake.