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Added 8 October 2026

beg

/ˈbɛɡ/ verb

In Latin: mendīcor Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about beg at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Call upon in supplication; entreat.
I beg you to stop!
Make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently.
Henry IV solicited the Pope for a divorce
Ask to obtain free.
beg money and food

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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