bɪˈɡɪn v. (beginning;
past began; past
part. begun) 1 tr.
perform the first part
of;
start (begin
work; begin
crying; begin to understand). 2 intr.
come into being;
arise: a in
time (war began in 1939). b in
space (Wales begins
beyond the river). 3 tr. (usu. foll. by to + infin.) start at a
certain time (then began to
feel ill). 4 intr. be
begun (the
meeting will begin at 7). 5 intr. a start
speaking ('No,' he began). b
take the first
step; be the first to do
something (who wants to begin?). 6 intr. colloq. (usu.
with neg.)
show any attempt or
likelihood (can't begin to compete). øbegin at start
from. begin on (or upon) set to work
at. begin school
attend school
for the first time. begin with take (a
subject,
task, etc.) first or as a starting-point. to begin with in the first
place; as the first
thing. [OE beginnan f. Gmc]