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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I, in this venture, double gains pursue. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An event that is not, or can not be, foreseen; an accident; chance; hap; contingency; luck. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The thing put to hazard; a stake; a risk; especially, something sent to sea in trade. [ 1913 Webster ]

My ventures are not in one bottom trusted. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

At a venture, at hazard; without seeing the end or mark; without foreseeing the issue; at random. [ 1913 Webster ]

A certain man drew a bow at a venture. 1 Kings xxii. 34. [ 1913 Webster ]

A bargain at a venture made. Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The phrase at a venture was originally at aventure, that is, at adventure. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make a venture; to run a hazard or risk; to take the chances. [ 1913 Webster ]

Who freights a ship to venture on the seas. J. Dryden, Jr. [ 1913 Webster ]

To venture at, or
To venture on or
To venture 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To expose to hazard; to risk; to hazard; as, to venture one's person in a balloon. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am afraid; and yet I'll venture it. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put or send on a venture or chance; as, to venture a horse to the West Indies. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To confide in; to rely on; to trust. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A man would be well enough pleased to buy silks of one whom he would not venture to feel his pulse. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who ventures, or puts to hazard; an adventurer. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A strumpet; a prostitute. [ R. ] J. Webster (1607). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Inclined to venture; not loth to run risk or danger; venturous; bold; daring; adventurous; as, a venturesome boy or act. -- Ven"ture*some*ly, adv. -- Ven"ture*some*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]