Begin \Be*gin"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Began, Begun; p. pr. & vb. n. Beginning.]

[AS. beginnan (akin to OS. biginnan, D. & G. beginnen, OHG. biginnan, Goth., du-ginnan, Sw. begynna,

1. See Gin to begin.]

1. To have or commence an independent or first existence; to take rise; to commence.

Vast chain of being! which from God began. --Pope.

2. To do the first act or the first part of an action; to enter upon or commence something new, as a new form or state of being, or course of action; to take the first step; to start. ``Tears began to flow.'' --Dryden.

When I begin, I will also make an end. --1 Sam. iii. 12.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Beginning \Be*gin"ning\, n.

1. The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. --Gen. i. 1.

2. That which begins or originates something; the first cause; origin; source.

I am . . . the beginning and the ending. --Rev. i. 8.

3. That which is begun; a rudiment or element.

Mighty things from small beginnings grow. --Dryden.

4. Enterprise. ``To hinder our beginnings.'' --Shak.

Syn: Inception; prelude; opening; threshold; origin; outset; foundation.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)