■ verb
1》 come or bring into being.
↘begin to do.
↘begin to move or travel.
↘begin to attend (a school, college, etc.) or engage in (an occupation).
2》 cause to happen.
↘begin to operate.
↘cause or enable to begin doing something.
↘signal (competitors) to begin a race.
3》 ( ~ at ) cost at least (a specified amount).
4》 give a small jump or jerking movement from surprise.
↘ literary move or appear suddenly.
↘rouse (game) from its lair.
↘(of eyes) bulge.
5》 displace or be displaced by pressure or shrinkage.
■ noun
1》 the beginning of something.
↘an act of beginning.
2》 an advantage given at the beginning of a race.
3》 a sudden movement of surprise.
↘ dated a surprising occurrence.
Phrases
for a ~ in the first place.
~ something informal cause trouble.
to ~ with as the first thing to be taken into account.
Phrasal verbs
~ in informal begin doing something.
↘( ~ in on ) N. Amer. begin to do or deal with.
↘( ~ in on ) N. Amer. attack verbally.
~ off (or ~ someone/thing off ) begin (or cause someone or something to begin) working, operating, etc.
~ on
1》 begin to work on or deal with.
2》 informal begin to talk in a critical or hostile way to.
~ over N. Amer. make a new beginning.
~ out (or up ) embark on a venture or undertaking.
Origin
OE styrtan 'to caper, leap', of Gmc origin.