I. ˈbeg, ˈbāg — some who have ā in “leg” and “egg” have e in “beg” verb
( begged ; begged ; begging ; begs )
Etymology: Middle English beggen, perhaps alteration of Old English bedecian; akin to Gothic bidagwa beggar, Old English biddan to entreat — more at bid
transitive verb
1. : to ask for as a charity especially habitually or from house to house
beg his bread from door to door
2. : to ask earnestly for : request warmly or humbly : entreat
beg forgiveness
— often used in expressions of polite deference
I beg your pardon
I beg leave to disagree
3.
a. : evade , sidestep
Maynard begs the difficulties set … by designating its princiiples as “simply Christian” — C.T.Harrison
b. : to assume the fact of established solution, settlement, or proof of (a question or issue)
grave danger that these questions may be begged — Walter Moberly
— compare petitio principii
4. : to obtain release of especially by entreaty — used with off
beg a person off from a duty
intransitive verb
1. : to ask for alms or charity
begging from door to door
: live by asking for charity
a license to beg
2. : to ask earnestly : entreat humbly
beg for mercy
— often used as a term of polite deference
I beg to state
3. of a dog or other pet animal : to make a formalized gesture of request ; especially : to sit erect on the haunches with the forepaws raised
4. : decline , renege : back out — used with off
men of stern morality beg off from all discussions of … morality — R.H.Rovere
5. : to reject the turned-up trump in the game of all fours thereby giving the dealer certain privileges
Synonyms:
implore , entreat , beseech , supplicate , adure, importune : these seven verbs are closely related in all signifying the making of an appeal in some way. beg is often used in certain forms of politeness
I beg leave to return tomorrow
Otherwise it suggests strongly the personal urgency of the appeal, often to the point of a certain self-abasement of the doer
now that you're through, you come begging me to marry you — Barnaby Conrad
turning to Foley he begged silently for some help — Morely Callaghan
we watched the fat, lazy squirrels lollop inquisitively round us begging the crumbs — Wilfred Fienburgh
he, casting himself prostrate on the ground, implored her forgiveness and begged to know her will — W.H.Hudson
implore usually emphasizes even more strongly than beg personal urgency and earnestness although usually implying more dignity in the doer
how she pleaded, and implored me to wait — George Meredith
the last look of my dear mother's eyes, which implored me to have mercy — Charles Dickens
the one thing the doctor implored him to avoid was that kind of exertion — J.C.Powys
entreat suggests the earnestness of a persuasive petition, implying generally less personal, emotional involvement than do beg or implore
smooth-tongued barkers entreat passerby to stop and inspect bargains — American Guide Series: Tennessee
he did not entreat or plead; he announced — Margaret Deland
he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men — Jane Austen
beseech not as strong as entreat in the suggestion of personal urgency, sometimes stresses an earnestness arising from anxiety or solicitude
a Cape captain, whose bride beseeched him to write while he was away — R.W.Hatch
the girl besought her so earnestly that Lady Drum was driven into warm language to defend herself — William Black
a beggar beseeches him in the name of Allah — Jean & Franc Shor
supplicate emphasizes the humbleness of the doer, suggesting strongly a respectful or prayerful attitude
invite, entreat, supplicate them to accompany you — Earl of Chesterfield
to visit the governor and supplicate for more welfare aid
adjure usually suggests a certain seriousness or solemnity of request, an invocation of duty or responsiblity or of something bindingly sacred
the wives and daughters … rushed about the camp … adjuring their countrymen to save them from slavery — J.A.Froude
the student who seeks a closer acquaintance with the playwrights mentioned … is adjured to make any contact he can achieve with the living theater — W.Bridges-Adams
“You must give the people an example of poverty, misery and denial,” he sometimes adjures his disciples — Time
importune implies an insistence, especially in repetition, or appeal or request, usually to the point of annoyance or irritation
they are importuned to spread the official gospel throughout the community via their patients to the utmost of their ability — J.H.Means
she knew how to look after him without ever imposing herself on him or importuning him — Edmund Wilson
II. ˈbeg noun
( -s )
Etymology: Russian beg, bek, of Turkic origin; akin to Jagatai bäg beg, Turkish bey
: a central Asian, Turkish, or Mogul Indian chieftain or official — often used as a title; compare bey
III. abbreviation
begin; beginning