begin English · revision 3021

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1000, Ælfric|origins=gmw-pro *ginnan}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɪˈɡɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|beginnen]],^(MWU 2024) [[inh|ang|beginnan|t=to attempt, undertake]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) a rare word beside the usual onginnan,^(Etymonline) from [[m|ang|be-]] and [[gmw-pro|*ginnan]], which is of obscure origin and found only in compounds.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) Etymonline suggests that it may have meant “to open, open up”, comparing Old High German in-ginnan “to cut open; to begin”.^(Etymonline) It is cognate with Old Frisian biginna, Old Saxon and Old High German biginnan, Dutch and German beginnen, and Gothic duginnan.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To take the first step, to start: about 1000, in Ælfric's version of Genesis.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “To originate, be the originator of” is from the late 12th century, and “to take the first step in, start to deal with”, with an object, from about 1200.^(Etymonline) The intransitive sense “to come into existence” is from the mid-13th century.^(Etymonline) ''To begin with'' and ''to begin at'' are from about 1325.^(OED 1989) With a negative, “to come anywhere near”, as in ''does not begin to cover the cost'', is from 1833,^(OED 1989) and the American sense “to compare in any degree with” from 1862.^(OED 1989) An unrelated Middle English verb ''begin'', “to entrap”, is recorded about 1250.^(OED 1989) In Oxfordshire dialect ''begin'' could mean “to scold”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – to begin, start.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * late 12th century – to originate.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1200 – to start on something.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-13th century – to come into existence.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1325 – ''to begin with''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1833 – with a negative, to come near.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To take the first step in doing something; to [[start]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To come into being; to [[originate]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To do in the least degree: ''the words can't begin to describe it''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To be the first part of: ''the letter A begins the alphabet''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[beginning]]

+ * [[beginner]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[commence]]

+ * [[start]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The past tense is ''began'' and the past participle ''begun''.^(Hoad 1986)^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}