Part 1009

<syn>Syn. -- To <er>Beg</er>, <er>Ask</er>, <er>Request</er>.</syn> <usage></syn> <usage> To <i>ask</i> (not in the sense of inquiring) is the generic term which embraces all these words. To <i>request</i> is only a polite mode of asking. To <i>beg</i>, in its original sense, was to ask with earnestness, and implied submission, or at least deference. At present, however, in polite life, <i>beg</i> has dropped its original meaning, and has taken the place of both <i>ask</i> and <i>request</i>, on the ground of its expressing more of deference and respect. Thus, we <i>beg</i> a person's acceptance of a present; we <i>beg</i> him to favor us with his company; a tradesman <i>begs</i> to announce the arrival of new goods, etc. Crabb remarks that, according to present usage, "we can never talk of <i>asking</i> a person's acceptance of a thing, or of <i>asking</i> him to do us a favor." This can be more truly said of usage in England than in America.</usage>

<h1>Beg</h1> <Xpage=132>

<hw>Beg</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <def>To ask alms or charity, especially to ask habitually by the wayside or from house to house; to live by asking alms.</def>

<blockquote>I can not dig; to <b>beg</b> I am ashamed. <i> Luke xvi. 3.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Bega</h1> <Xpage=132>

<hw>Be"ga</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>See <er>Bigha</er>.</def>

<h1>Begem</h1> <Xpage=132>

<hw>Be*gem"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Begemmed</er> <tt>(#)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Begemming</er>.]</wordforms> <def>To adorn with gems, or as with gems.</def>

<blockquote><b>Begemmed</b> with dewdrops. <i>Sir W. Scott.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Those lonely realms bright garden isles <b>begem</b>. <i>Shelley.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Beget</h1> <Xpage=132>

<hw>Be*get"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp.</tt> <er>Begot</er> <tt>(?)</tt>, <mark>(Archaic)</mark> <er>Begat</er> <tt>(<?/)</tt>; <tt>p. p.</tt> <er>Begot</er>, <er>Begotten</er> <tt>(<?/)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Begetting</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[OE. <ets>bigiten</ets>, <ets>bigeten</ets>, to get, beget, AS. <ets>begitan</ets> to get; pref. <ets>be-</ets> + <ets>gitan</ets>. See <er>Get</er>, <tt>v. t.</tt> ]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To procreate, as a father or sire; to generate; -- commonly said of the father.</def>

<blockquote>Yet they a beauteous offspring shall <b>beget</b>. <i> Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To get (with child.)</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Shak.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To produce as an effect; to cause to exist.</def>

<blockquote>Love is <b>begot</b> by fancy. <i>Granville.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Begetter</h1> <Xpage=132>

<hw>Be*get"ter</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who begets; a father.</def>

<h1>Beggable</h1> <Xpage=132>

<hw>Beg"ga*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Capable of being begged.</def>

<h1>Beggar</h1> <Xpage=132>

<hw>Beg"gar</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>beggere</ets>, fr. <ets>beg</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>One who begs; one who asks or entreats earnestly, or with humility; a petitioner.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>One who makes it his business to ask alms.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>One who is dependent upon others for support; -- a contemptuous or sarcastic use.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>One who assumes in argument what he does not prove.</def>

<i>Abp. Tillotson.</i>

<h1>Beggar</h1> <Xpage=132>