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.
Venture
(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, 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.
Venture
(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.