Definition of begun

The word "begun" is an old English verb which originated from the Old Norse word "begynöng" meaning "to begin." The word spread to Old English, where it took on the form "begunnan" before eventually turning into "begonne" in Middle English. The origins of the Old Norse form "begynöng" can be traced back to the Old Norse verb "gynnwa," meaning "to help bring about, to further." This verb is thought to have developed from the Proto-Germanic root *ginnēban, which meant "to create" or "to fashion." The word "begun" has been in use in English for centuries, with the first recorded usage appearing in the 12th century Middle English text "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle." Today, the word is commonly used to indicate the start of a process or activity, signaled by the past participle of the verb "begin." In its original form, however, "begun" could also be used as a verb, as in the phrase "we have begun our journey." Despite this, "begin" is now the more frequently used verb, replacing "begun" in many contexts. In summary, the word "begun" comes from the Old Norse "begynöng" which evolved from the Old Norse verb "gynnwa," ultimately originating from the Proto-Germanic root *ginnēban. Its use as a verb in Middle English has given way to the more common usage of "begin" in English today, but "begun" continues to be used as a past participle to signify the initiation of a process.