venture \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.
      1913 webster

            i, in this venture, double gains pursue. --dryden.
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   2. an event that is not, or can not be, foreseen; an
      accident; chance; hap; contingency; luck. --bacon.
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   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.
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   at a venture, at hazard; without seeing the end or mark;
      without foreseeing the issue; at random.
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            a certain man drew a bow at a venture. --1 kings
                                                  xxii. 34.
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            a bargain at a venture made.          --hudibras.
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   note: the phrase at a venture was originally at aventure,
         that is, at adventure.
         1913 webster
see also:
adventure at a venture