beg
beg Lexical Profile
beg Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To ask someone earnestly or humbly for something, such as a favor, forgiveness, or permission.
"He had to beg his supervisor for an extension on the quarterly report."
To ask for food, money, or alms as charity, especially in public places.
"During the severe economic downturn, many displaced workers were forced to beg on city streets."
To sit up on the hind legs with the forepaws raised in hope of a reward (of a dog or other animal).
"The terrier learned to sit quietly by the kitchen table and beg for scraps of roast chicken."
Word Nuance & Usage
The idiom 'beg the question' traditionally refers to the logical fallacy of circular reasoning (assuming the truth of the conclusion in the premises), though in modern informal usage it is frequently used to mean 'raise the question'.
• Rhymes for beg
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English beggen, which is either derived from Old English bedecian ('to beg', related to biddan, 'to ask or pray') or back-formed from Old French begart ('lay mendicant').