Emily Dickinson Lexicon

begin (began, beginning, begun, -s), v. [OE 'open'.] (webplay: be, become, confirm, create, head, plant, produce, set).

1. Commence; start.
2. Start to sound; commence making music.
3. Embark; enter into; start a phase; show first signs of existence.
4. Originate; arise; enter a course; come into existence.
5. Perform the first act; embark upon something new; take the first step.
6. Happen; befall; occur; transpire; take rise; come to pass; start to take place.