BEGIN


Meaning of BEGIN in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ bi-ˈgin, bē- ]

verb

( be·gan -ˈgan ; be·gun -ˈgən ; be·gin·ning )

Etymology: Middle English beginnen, from Old English beginnan; akin to Old High German biginnan to begin, Old English on ginnan

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb

1. : to do the first part of an action : go into the first part of a process : start

2.

a. : to come into existence : arise

b. : to have a starting point

3. : to do or succeed in the least degree

I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am

transitive verb

1. : to set about the activity of : start

2.

a. : to bring into being : found

b. : originate , invent

- to begin with

Synonyms:

begin , commence , start , initiate , inaugurate , usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation. begin , start , and commence are often interchangeable. begin , opposed to end, is the most general

begin a trip

began dancing

start , opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages

the work started slowly

commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start

commence firing

commenced a conversation

initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue

initiated diplomatic contacts

inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate

ushered in a period of economic decline

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.