verb intransverb trans
to do the first part of an action; to start
If you're all ready, we'll begin
to undergo initial steps
Work on the project began in May
to come into existence; to arise
The war began in 1939
(+ with) to have the specified thing first
The alphabet begins with A
to set about the activity of (doing something)
The children began laughing
to call (something) into being; to found
The dynasty was begun in 1631
to come first in (something)
A begins the alphabet
(usu in negative contexts ) to manage do or succeed in (something), in the least degree (to do something)
I can't begin to explain it all
I can't begin to describe her beauty
beginner noun
[Old English beginnan]