English word begin comes from Proto-Germanic *bi- (By, at; a general locative prefix.), Old English (ca. 450-1100) onginnan (To begin. To undertake, attempt.), Dutch ontginnen (To develop.), Proto-Germanic *ginnaną, Old Saxon andginnan (To begin.), Proto-Germanic *ginnaną
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *bi- | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | By, at; a general locative prefix. |
| onginnan | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | To begin. To undertake, attempt. |
| ontginnen | Dutch (nl) | To develop. |
| *ginnaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| andginnan | Old Saxon (osx) | To begin. |
| *ginnaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *biginnaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | To begin. |
| beginnan | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | (rare) to begin. |
| beginnen | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | |
| begin | English (en) | (ambitransitive) To start, to initiate or take the first step into something.. (intransitive) To be in the first stage of some situation. (intransitive) To come into existence. (nonstandard) Beginning; start. |