venture

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. [ 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 ]

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 ]