ENGLISH
REFERENCE

begging

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈbɛɡɪŋ// UK //bˈɛɡɪŋ// beg·ging

n. the act of asking people for money or food because you are very poor. It usually happens in public places like streets or parks.

n. the practice of imploring others for money, food, or charity, typically in a public setting. Often associated with extreme poverty or homelessness.


SIMPLE

The city has new rules about begging in the subway.

CONTEXTUAL

He survived for several months through a combination of begging and temporary shelter work.

COMPLEX

While some local governments have attempted to criminalise begging, social advocates argue that such measures fail to address the underlying systemic issues of poverty and housing instability.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English begging, beggyng, beggynge, equivalent to beg + -ing (gerund ending).

Etymology 2

From Middle English beggin, beggyn, beggyng, (also beggand), present participle of beggen (“to beg”), equivalent to beg + -ing (participle ending).

Usage

Typically functions as a gerund noun; often used as a subject or the object of a preposition.

Idioms1 entry

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