begin

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To start doing something.

   I began playing the piano at the age of five.

2. 2
   verb

   To start to happen or exist.

   The race begins right over the hill.

3. 3
   verb

   To start something or set it in motion.

   Let us begin before it gets too late.

4. 4
   verb

   To start in a particular way.

   The novel begins with a murder.

From Middle English beginnen, from Old English beginnan (“to begin”), from Proto-West Germanic *biginnan, from Proto-Germanic *biginnaną (“to begin”), from be- + base verb *ginnaną also found in Old English onginnan.

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