English Dictionary: beginning | by the DICT Development Group |
3 results for beginning | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Begin \Be*gin"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Began}, {Begun}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Beginning}.] [AS. beginnan (akin to OS. biginnan, D. & G. beginnen, OHG. biginnan, Goth., du-ginnan, Sw. begynna, Dan. begynde); pref. be- + an assumed ginnan. [root]31. See {Gin} to begin.] 1. To have or commence an independent or first existence; to take rise; to commence. Vast chain of being! which from God began. --Pope. 2. To do the first act or the first part of an action; to enter upon or commence something new, as a new form or state of being, or course of action; to take the first step; to start. [bd]Tears began to flow.[b8] --Dryden. When I begin, I will also make an end. --1 Sam. iii. 12. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Beginning \Be*gin"ning\, n. 1. The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. --Gen. i. 1. 2. That which begins or originates something; the first cause; origin; source. I am . . . the beginning and the ending. --Rev. i. 8. 3. That which is begun; a rudiment or element. Mighty things from small beginnings grow. --Dryden. 4. Enterprise. [bd]To hinder our beginnings.[b8] --Shak. Syn: Inception; prelude; opening; threshold; origin; outset; foundation. |