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.
I, in this venture, double gains pursue. Dryden.
2. An event that is not, or can not be, foreseen; an accident; chance; hap; contingency; luck. Bacon.
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.