Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Begin
Be-gin′
,Verb.
I.
[
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
. √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.
Be-gin′
,Verb.
T.
1.
To enter on; to commence.
Ye nymphs of Solyma !
begin
the song. Pope.
2.
To trace or lay the foundation of; to make or place a beginning of.
The apostle
begins
our knowledge in the creatures, which leads us to the knowledge of God. Locke.
Syn. – To commence; originate; set about; start.
Be-gin′
,Noun.
Beginning.
[Poetic & Obs.]
Spenser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Begin
BEGIN'
,Verb.
I.
1.
To have an original or first existence; to take rise; to commence. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been since the world began. Luke 1.
Judgment must begin at the house of God. 1 Pet.4.
From Nimrod first the savage race began.
And tears began to flow.
2.
To do the first act; to enter upon something new; to take the first step; as, begin, my muse. Begin every day to repent.
When I begin, I will also make an end. 1 Sam.3.
BEGIN'
v.t. To do the first act of any thing; to enter on; to commence. Ye nymphs of Solyma, begin the song.
And this they begin to do. Gen.11.
2.
To trace from any thing, as the first ground; to lay the foundation. The apostle begins our knowledge in the creatures, which leads us to the knowledge of God.
To begin with, to enter upon first; to use or employ first; as, to begin with the Latin Grammar; to begin business with a small capital.