Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            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.