beget

[ bih-get ]

verb (used with object)

, be·got or (Archaic) be·gat; be·got·ten or be·got; be·get·ting.

1. (especially of a male parent) to procreate or generate (offspring).

   Synonyms: father, breed, sire, spawn

2. to cause; produce as an effect:

   a belief that power begets power.

   Synonyms: generate, effect, engender, occasion

beget

/ bɪˈɡɛt /

verb

1. to father
2. to cause or create

Derived Forms

• beˈgetter, noun

Other Words From

• be·get·ter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beget¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English begeten ( be-, get ); replacing Middle English biyeten, Old English begetan; cognate with Gothic bigitan, Old High German bigezzan

Word History and Origins

Origin of beget¹

Old English begietan ; related to Old Saxon bigetan , Old High German pigezzan , Gothic bigitan to find; see be- , get

Example Sentences

She said she worries that the elimination of no-fault would only beget more violence — and that its restriction could have a "domino effect," especially in deep-red states.

From Salon

This inverted perception: Where status once begot the signifier, the signifier now begot the status.

From Los Angeles Times

Economists call this “hysteresis”, where joblessness begets more of it.

From BBC

However, mankind’s tally shows war mostly begets war.

From Los Angeles Times

They are concerned warehouses will beget warehouses, eventually ending up in their backyard.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bring about
• engender
• sire