Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BE-GIN', v.i. [pret. began, pp. begun. Sax. gynnan, aginnan, beginnan, and onginnan, to begin, ongin, a beginning; Goth. duginnan; Sw. begynna; Dan. begynder; D. and Ger. beginnen, to begin; D. and German beginn, a beginning, origin; W. cycwnu, to begin, cy, a prefix, and cwn, a head. The radical word is gin or gyn, to which are prefixed be, on, and du, which is to. This appears to be the root of the Gr. γινομαι, γενναω, L. genero, gigno, coinciding with Syr. ܟܢ‎ kōn, to begin to be; in Aph. to plant, to confirm, to create, Eth. ከወነ kōn, to be, to become, or be made; Ar. كاَنَ kana, to be, or become, to make, to create, to generate; Heb. Ch. and Sam. כון, to make ready, to adapt, prepare, establish; Sam. to create. The primary sense is, to throw, thrust, stretch forward; hence, to set, or to produce, according to its connection or application.]

1. To have an original or first existence; to take rise; to commence. As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been since the world began. – Luke i. Judgment must begin at the house of God. – 1 Pet. iv. From Nimrod first the savage race began. – Pope. And tears began to flow. – Dryden.
2. To do the first act; to enter upon something new; to take the first step; as, begin my muse. Begin every day to repent. – Taylor. When I begin, I will also make an end. – 1 Sam. iii.