/ bɪˈget; NAmE / verb ( be·get·ting , begot , begot / bɪˈgɒt; NAmE -gɑːt/
HELP NOTE : In sense 1 begat / bɪˈɡæt / is used for the past tense, and be·got·ten / bɪˈɡɒtn / / -ˈɡɑ:tn / is used for the past participle.
) [ vn ]
1.
(old use, for example in the Bible) to become the father of a child :
Isaac begat Jacob.
2.
( formal or old-fashioned ) to make sth happen :
Violence begets violence.
► be·get·ter noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English begietan get, obtain by effort (see be- , get ).