begged; begging
Definition of beg
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to ask for as a charity (see charity sense 1a)
begging food from strangers begged him for some change
2a
: to ask earnestly for : entreat
beg forgiveness I beg your pardon.
b
: to require as necessary or appropriate
a scene that begged to be photographed
1
: to ask for alms
children begging on the streets
2
: to ask earnestly
begged for mercy
beg the question
1
: to elicit a question logically as a reaction or response
the quarterback's injury begs the question of who will start in his place
2
: to pass over or ignore a question by assuming it to be established or settled
beg
abbreviationDefinition of beg (Entry 2 of 2)
begin; beginning
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for beg
The first known use of beg was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century