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begin
be·gin / biˈgin/ • v. (-gin·ning ; past -gan / -ˈgan/ ; past part. -gun / -ˈgən/ ) 1. [tr.] start; perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity): the Communists have just begun to fight (begin to do/doing something) it was beginning to snow [intr.] she began by rewriting the syllabus. ∎ [intr.] come into being or have its starting point at a certain time or place: the ground campaign had begun. ∎ [intr.] (of a person) hold a specific position or role before holding any other: he began as a drummer. ∎ [intr.] (of a thing) originate: Watts Lake began as a marine inlet. ∎ [intr.] (begin with) have as a first element: words beginning with a vowel. ∎ [intr.] (begin on/upon) set to work at: Picasso began on a great canvas. ∎ [with direct speech] start speaking by saying: “I've got to go to the hotel,” she began. ∎ [intr.] (begin at) (of an article) cost at least (a specified amount): rooms begin at $139. 2. [intr.] inf. not have any chance or likelihood of doing a specified thing: circuitry that Karen could not begin to comprehend. PHRASES: to begin with at first. ∎ in the first place: such a fate is unlikely to befall him: to begin with, his is a genuine talent. |
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"begin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "begin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-begin005.html "begin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-begin005.html |
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begin
begin pt. began, pp. begun. OE. beġinnan = OS., OHG. biginnan (Du., G. beginnen), WGmc. f. BE- + *ginnan, of unkn. orig.
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T. F. HOAD. "begin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "begin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-begin.html T. F. HOAD. "begin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-begin.html |
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begin
begin
•agin, akin, begin, Berlin, bin, Boleyn, Bryn, chin, chin-chin, Corinne, din, fin, Finn, Flynn, gaijin, gin, Glyn, grin, Gwyn, herein, Ho Chi Minh, in, inn, Jin, jinn, kin, Kweilin, linn, Lynn, mandolin, mandoline, Min, no-win, pin, Pinyin, quin, shin, sin, skin, spin, therein, thin, Tientsin, tin, Tonkin, Turin, twin, underpin, Vietminh, violin, wherein, whin, whipper-in, win, within, Wynne, yin
•weigh-in • lutein • lie-in • Samhain
•Bowen, Cohen, Owen, throw-in
•heroin, heroine
•benzoin
•bruin, ruin, shoo-in
•Bedouin • Islwyn
•genuine, Menuhin
•cabin, Scriabin
•Portakabin • sin bin • swingbin
•bobbin, dobbin, robin
•haemoglobin (US hemoglobin)
•Reuben • dubbin • dustbin • Jacobin
•kitchen, lichen
•Cochin • urchin
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Cite this article
"begin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "begin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-begin.html "begin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-begin.html |
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