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countable and uncountable, plural beginnings
(uncountable) The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states. examples
That which is begun; a rudiment or element. examples
That which begins or originates something; the source or first cause. examples
The initial portion of some extended thing. quotations examples
"Is anything the matter?" Lady Lindstrom asked anxiously."No," Megan told her. "I'm merely trying to decide where the beginning is.""Perhaps at the beginning," the Chief Constable prompted, rather stupidly, Megan thought."Which beginning?" she asked.
1975, Frances Keinzley, The Cottage at Chapelyard, page 179
present participle and gerund of begin quotations examples
The turmoil went on—no rest, no peace. […] It was nearly eleven o'clock now, and he strolled out again. In the little fair created by the costers' barrows the evening only seemed beginning; and the naphtha flares made one's eyes ache, the men's voices grated harshly, and the girls' faces saddened one.
1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter VII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company
not comparable
(informal) Of or relating to the first portion of some extended thing. examples