v.
Pronunciation: ' beg
Function: verb
Inflected Form: begged ; beg · ging
Etymology: Middle English beggen
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to ask for as a charity
2 a : to ask earnestly for : ENTREAT b : to require as necessary or appropriate
3 : EVADE , SIDESTEP < begged the real problems>
intransitive verb
1 : to ask for alms
2 : to ask earnestly < begged for mercy>
– beg the question
1 : to pass over or ignore a question by assuming it to be established or settled
2 : to elicit a question logically as a reaction or response <the quarterback's injury begs the question of who will start in his place>
synonyms BEG , ENTREAT , BESEECH , IMPLORE , SUPPLICATE , ADJURE , IMPORTUNE mean to ask urgently. BEG suggests earnestness or insistence especially in asking for a favor <children begging to stay up late>. ENTREAT implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance < entreated him to change his mind>. BESEECH implies great eagerness or anxiety <I beseech you to have mercy>. IMPLORE adds to BESEECH a suggestion of greater urgency or anguished appeal < implored her not to leave him>. SUPPLICATE suggests a posture of humility <with bowed heads they supplicated their Lord>. ADJURE implies advising as well as pleading and suggests the invoking of something sacred <in God's name I adjure you to cease>. IMPORTUNE suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request < importuning viewers for contributions>.