A.take a thing in hand, undertake, attempt, c. dat.rei, E.Med.377, X.Vect. 6.1, etc.: later, c. acc. rei, “ἔργον” PPetr.2p.37 (iii B.C.): c. inf., Pl. Prt.310c, X.Mem.2.3.12, etc.; “τὸν ἐγχειρήσαντα συκοφαντεῖν” Hyp. Eux.34: abs., to make an attempt or beginning, S.El.1026, Th.4.4, etc.
2. lay hands on, attack, πόλεσι ib.122: abs., X.HG4.5.16; “πρὸς τὰ κατὰ τοὺς πολεμίους” Plb.2.22.11.
II. in late Poets, take in hand, c. acc., “ἔργον” Epigr.Gr.1038.36.—ἐπιχειρέω is more common in Att. ἐγχείρ-ημα , ατος, τό, undertaking, attempt, S.OT540, Pl. Plt.290d, Antiph.29, D.27.34, Aen.Tact.24.15, Plu.Cleom.25, etc.; essay in argument, Epicur.Dial.1413.7 (pl.).