Webster's English Dictionary

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begin

be.gin \bi-'gin\ \-'gan\ \-'g*n\ vb or be.gan;  or be.gun or be.gin.ning 
   [ME beginnen, fr. OE beginnan; akin to OHG biginnan to begin,] OE onginnan 
   1a: to do the first part of an action  1b: to undergo initial steps : 
   COMMENCE  2a: to come into existence : ARISE  2b: to have a starting point  
   3: to do or succeed in the least degree  1: to set about the activity of  
   2a: to call into being : FOUND  2b: ORIGINATE, INVENT  3: to come first in 
   EGIN and COMMENCE are practically identical in meaning but COMMENCE 
   suggests slightly greater formality; START, opposed to stop, suggests a 
   getting or setting into motion or setting out on a journey and implies a 
   definitely marked change from a state of rest or waiting to movement; 
   INITIATE implies the taking of a first step of a process or series that is 
   to continue; INAUGURATE adds to INITIATE a stronger implication of both a 
   ceremonious beginning and an expectation of long continuance - be.gin.ner n 
   SYN syn COMMENCE, STIART, INITIATE, INAUGURATE: B