From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Begin \Be*gin"\, n.
Beginning. [Poetic & Obs.] --Spenser.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Begin \Be*gin"\, v. 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. [root]31. See
Gin to begin.]
1. To have or commence an independent or first existence; to
take rise; to commence.
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Vast chain of being! which from God began. --Pope.
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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.
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When I begin, I will also make an end. --1 Sam. iii.
12.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Begin \Be*gin"\, v. t.
1. To enter on; to commence.
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Ye nymphs of Solyma ! begin the song. --Pope.
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2. To trace or lay the foundation of; to make or place a
beginning of.
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The apostle begins our knowledge in the creatures,
which leads us to the knowledge of God. --Locke.
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Syn: To commence; originate; set about; start.
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