beg

Formsbegs, begging, begged

Pluralbegs

1. 1
   verbintransitive

   To ask people for money or help, often out in public.

   Like holding out an empty cup, hoping someone will fill it.

   He had to beg on the street corner for spare change.

   Crowds of refugees begged for food at the border.

   Similarpanhandle

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To ask someone very strongly for something you really want.

   Like asking again and again, hoping the answer will change.

   I beg you to give me one more chance.

   She begged her brother to keep the secret safe.

   Similarplead, implore, entreat, supplicate

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To clearly need something, or to be obviously missing it.

   These bare walls beg for a splash of color.

   The cluttered desk begs a thorough cleanup.

   Similarneed, require

4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To treat a claim as already true when proving it is the whole point.

   That argument begs the question by assuming what it tries to prove.

   You beg the question when you use your conclusion as your reason.

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To make people naturally want to ask a certain question.

   His sudden wealth begs the question of where the money came from.

   These rising prices beg the question: who can still afford to buy?

   Similarraise, prompt

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To bring a bad or violent reaction onto yourself without meaning to.

   Taunting the older boys was begging a beating.

   Reckless taunts like that beg an angry response.

   Similarinvite, provoke

7. 7
   nouncountable

   An act of asking for something in a strong, pleading way.

   Her quiet beg for mercy moved everyone in the courtroom.

   He gave one last beg before the guards led him away.

   Similarplea, appeal, entreaty

8. 8
   nounabbreviation

   Abbreviation of beginning. A short way to write "beginning" in patterns and notes.

   Knit two stitches at the beg of every row.

   Place a stitch marker at the beg of the round.

   Note
9. 9
   noun

   Alternative form of bey. Another spelling for the title of a Turkish or Ottoman governor.

   The beg ruled the province from his hilltop fortress.

   Villagers brought their disputes to the beg for judgment.

   Note

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