Beginninge

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The first part or opening stage from which something starts to happen or exist
2. The earliest point in time or process at which an event or activity commences
3. An archaic spelling of the opening moment or origin of an action, event or existence

Etymology: "Beginninge" is an archaic spelling of "beginning," a form that English used heavily in the Middle Ages and early modern period. The "-inge" ending was a regular Middle English suffix for verbal nouns, the same kind of formation seen in "bearing" or "building." Its roots lie in the Old English verb "beginnan," meaning "to begin," which combined the prefix "be-" with "ginnan," an old verb meaning "to open" or "to set about." The verb "ginnan" survives mainly in this compound and in the phrase "to gin," a rare dialect and archaic form. The final "-e" in "beginninge" was a spelling convention that Middle English scribes used on many nouns and verbs, and it was later dropped as English spelling standardized. You will find the form in older texts, including Chaucer's and the King James Bible, where spellings varied widely from writer to writer. "Beginning" itself has been in English since at least the Old English period, so this form is simply an older spelling of a very old word.