entrepreneurship
UK[ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜː.ʃɪp]US[ˌɑːn.trə.prəˈnɜːr.ʃɪp]
n
the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.
n
the skill and mindset of an entrepreneur; the capacity for innovation and initiative.
Morpheme Breakdown
entre
preneur
ship
entre
between, among
preneur
taker
ship
Etymology
the word 'entrepreneurship' is built upon the french word entrepreneur, which historically described someone who "undertakes" a task or project, particularly a contractor. the french term itself fuses entre- (between) and -preneur (taker), from latin roots inter and prehendere, literally conveying one who "takes in hand" or "seizes an opportunity between" parties. the english suffix -ship was later appended, transforming the agent noun into an abstract noun denoting the associated activity, state, or quality. thus, the modern concept evolved from the literal idea of an individual who seizes an initiative to the abstract system and practice of innovative business creation.
Analysis
Structure: entre + preneur + ship
entre: from french, meaning "between, among", derived from latin inter.
preneur: from french preneur, meaning "taker", derived from latin prehendere (to seize, to take).
ship: from old english -scipe, a noun-forming suffix denoting state, condition, or quality.
Examples
she studied entrepreneurship to learn how to launch her own tech startup.
the government introduced new policies to encourage entrepreneurship and job creation.
his success was due not just to a good idea, but to his relentless entrepreneurship.