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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Begin \Be*gin"\, verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Began}, {Begun}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Beginning}.] [AS. beginnan (akin to OS. biginnan, D. & G. beginnen, OHG. biginnan, Goth., du-ginnan, Sw. begynna, Dan. begynde); pref. be- + an assumed ginnan. [root]31. See {Gin} to begin.]
1. To have or commence an independent or first existence; to take rise; to commence.
Vast chain of being! which from God began. --Pope.
2. To do the first act or the first part of an action; to enter upon or commence something new, as a new form or state of being, or course of action; to take the first step; to start. ''Tears began to flow.'' --Dryden.
When I begin, I will also make an end. --1 Sam. iii. 12.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
began See {begin}
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |