Beg Meaning

/ˈbɛɡ/
A2

Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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verbTo request the help of someone, often in the form of money.

verbTo plead with someone for help, a favor, etc.; to entreat.

I beg to differ, as I disagree with your analysis of the situation.
I beg your pardon?
Now you have to beg and plead.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hungry dog would ____ for scraps of food at the back door.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I must ____ your pardon for being late to the meeting this morning city.

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”).

"you do beg your good will in this case." — c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
"[Joseph] begged the body of Jesus." — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 27:58:
"But that same day came Sam Tewkesbury to the Why Not? about nightfall, and begged a glass of rum, being, as he said, 'all of a shake' [...]" — [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC:
"The colors in this cell are as dull as its architects must have been. An endless expanse of drab-green textured walls, contrasting with the gray concrete floor. It begs redecoration." — 1985 April 13, Philip Brasfield, “Echoes Inside of What's Outside”, in Gay Community News, page 4:
"Else some will beg thee, in the court of wards." — a. 1612, John Harington, Epigrams:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
The hungry dog would ____ for scraps of food at the back door.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I must ____ your pardon for being late to the meeting this morning city.

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