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).
Phrases and idioms:
beg 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.
Etymology: ME prob. f. OE bedecian f. Gmc: rel. to BID
Useful english dictionary. 2012.