v. (beginning; past began; past part. begun)
1. tr. perform the first part of; start (begin work; begin crying; begin to understand).
2 intr. come into being; arise: a in time (war began in 1939). b in space (Wales begins beyond the river).
3 tr. (usu. foll. by to + infin.) start at a certain time (then began to feel ill).
4 intr. be begun (the meeting will begin at 7).
5 intr. a start speaking ('No,' he began). b take the first step; be the first to do something (who wants to begin?).
6 intr. colloq. (usu. with neg.) show any attempt or likelihood (can't begin to compete).
Phrases and idioms:
begin at start from. begin on (or upon) set to work at. begin school attend school for the first time. begin with take (a subject, task, etc.) first or as a starting-point. to begin with in the first place; as the first thing.
Etymology: OE beginnan f. Gmc