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.
Dryden.
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.
Shak.
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.
1 Kings xxii. 34.
A bargain at a venture made.
Hudibras.
⇒ The phrase at a venture was originally at aventure, that is, at adventure.
© Webster 1913.
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.
J. Dryden, Jr.
To venture at, ∨ To venture on ∨ 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
Shak.
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.
Addison.
© Webster 1913.