Definition of BEG

beg

Meanings

Plural: begs

Verb

  • call upon in supplication; entreat
    • "I beg you to stop!"
  • make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently
  • ask to obtain free
    • "beg money and food"
  • dodge, avoid answering, or take for granted
    • "beg the question"
    • "beg the point in the discussion"
  • To request the help of someone, often in the form of money.
  • To plead with someone for help, a favor, etc.; to entreat.
  • To unwillingly provoke a negative, often violent, reaction.
  • To obviously lack or be in need of something.
  • In the phrase beg the question: to assume.
  • In the phrase beg the question: to raise (a question).
  • To ask to be appointed guardian for, or to ask to have a guardian appointed for.

Noun

  • The act of begging; an imploring request.
  • Alternative form of bey.
  • Abbreviation of beginning.

Origin / Etymology

Inherited from Middle English beggen, of uncertain origin. Possibly from Old English *becgian, *bedcian, syncopated forms of bedecian (“to beg”), itself of obscure origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *bedukōn, a frequentative verb derived from Proto-West Germanic *bedu (“plea, petition, prayer”, whence English bead). Alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *bedagō (“petitioner, requester, beggar”), an agent noun from the same source. Compare North Frisian bēdagi (“to pray”), Gothic 𐌱𐌹𐌳𐌰𐌲𐍅𐌰 (bidagwa, “beggar”). All ultimately from the root of English bid, which see for more. An alternative theory considers the verb a backformation from beggar and derives the latter from Old French begart (“kind of lay brother”).

Antonyms

set aside

Scrabble Score: 6

beg is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
beg is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
beg is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

beg is a valid Words With Friends word