Definition of the word beget

The word "beget" comes from Old English "begietan", which means "to generate" or "to produce". This verb is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*begizjan", which is also the source of Modern German "begatten" and Dutch "begatten". The Proto-Germanic word is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*bheg-", which meant "to bear" or "to give birth". The Latin equivalent of "beget" is "generare", and the word has been borrowed into Middle English as "begeten". In Middle English, the word had a broader meaning that included not only biological reproduction but also the production of worldly goods or the foundation of a family. Over time, the word's meaning has narrowed to primarily refer to the act of fathering a child. Despite this narrowing, "beget" still carries connotations of creation, generation, and responsibility.