beɡ v. (begged, begging) 1 a intr. (usu. foll. by for)
ask for (esp.
food,
money, etc.) (begged for alms). b tr. ask for (food, money, etc.) as a
gift. c intr. live by begging. 2 tr. & intr. (usu. foll. by for, or to + infin.) ask earnestly or humbly (begged for
forgiveness; begged to be allowed
out;
please, I beg of
you; beg
your indulgence for a time). 3 tr. ask formally for (beg leave). 4 intr. (of a
dog etc.)
sit up
with the front paws raised expectantly. 5 tr.
take or ask leave (to do something) (I beg to
differ; beg to enclose). øbeg one's
bread live by begging. begging bowl 1 a bowl etc.
held out for food or
alms. 2 an earnest
appeal for
help. beg
off 1
decline to take
part in or
attend. 2
get (a person) excused a
penalty etc. beg
pardon see PARDON. beg the
question 1
assume the
truth of an
argument or
proposition to be proved,
without arguing
it. 2 disp. pose the question. 3 colloq.
evade a
difficulty. go begging (or a-begging) (of a
chance or a thing)
not be taken; be
unwanted. [ME prob. f. OE bedecian f. Gmc: rel. to BID]
