Venture, n.
Etymology: [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.
Note: The phrase at a venture was originally at aventure, that is, at adventure.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Venture, 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, 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for venture; he lists it under hazard.
Where he writes about it:
In hazard the possibilities of gain or loss are nearly balanced; in risk the possibility of loss is the chief thought; the foolhardy take great risks in mere wantonness; in chance and venture the hope of good predominates; we speak of a merchant's venture, but of an insurance company's risk; one may be driven by circumstances to run a risk; he freely seeks a venture; we speak of the chance of winning, the hazard or risk of losing. — from hazard