beg

Meaning

Verb

1. (intransitive) To request the help of someone, often in the form of money.
2. (transitive) To plead with someone for help, a favor, etc.; to entreat.
3. (transitive) To unwillingly provoke a negative, often violent, reaction.
4. (intransitive, transitive) To obviously lack or be in need of something.
5. (transitive) In the phrase beg the question: to assume.
6. (proscribed, transitive) In the phrase beg the question: to raise (a question).
7. (obsolete, transitive) To ask to be appointed guardian for, or to ask to have a guardian appointed for.

Noun

The act of begging; an imploring request.

Noun

Alternative form of bey.

Noun

Abbreviation of beginning.

Opposite of

set aside

Synonyms

request

ask

entreat

implore

beseech

ask for

plead

pray

🛐

solicit

appeal

demand

cadge

wish

importune

supplicate

bid

panhandle

urge

crave

petition

pester

beg for

plead with

nag

ask for alms

tap

sue

invite

seek after

please

bespeak

importune for

beseech for

implore for

mump

obtest

appeal for help

crave for

sue for

fish

🐟

invoke

call for

want

pray for

desire

plea

seek

🔍

demean

cry

😢

cringe

Translations

mendier

prier

🛐

quémander

supplier

rogar

mendicare

betteln

implorer

anflehen

mendigar

pedir

suplicar

pedir

pregare

🛐

suplicar

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɛɡ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: beggen

Cognate with Northern Frisian: bēdagi

Cognate with Gothic: 𐌱𐌹𐌳𐌰𐌲𐍅𐌰

In summary

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”).

Sentences

Oh , I beg your pardon !