Beggings

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈbɛɡɪŋz/

Definitions

1. The act or practice of soliciting money, food, or favors from others; the state of being dependent on charity or asking for help to meet basic needs; a condition involving persistent requests for support or assistance
2. The behavior of earning support through direct appeals to others for resources; a circumstance marked by reliance on external generosity; a continuous process of seeking aid or donations from individuals or groups
3. The condition or action of requesting relief or gifts from people, often in public; a way of life involving supplication for necessities; an ongoing appeal for charitable contributions or help to sustain oneself

Etymology: "Beggings" is simply the plural of "begging," which is a noun formed from the verb "beg" with the gerund ending "-ing." In Middle English, the verb "beggen" meant to ask earnestly or to ask for alms, and adding "-ing" turned the action into a noun naming the act of begging itself. The plural "beggings" follows the usual pattern for nouns that name repeated acts, so it refers to separate instances of asking for money or charity. The base verb "beg" is the older element here, and the ending does the work of turning an action into a thing that can be counted.

Synonyms: asking, pleading, soliciting, imploring, requesting

Antonyms: refusing, denying, rejecting, withholding