beget

verb

Etymology: From Middle English begeten [influenced by Old Norse geta ("to get, to guess")], from Old English beġietan (“to get”), from Proto-Germanic *bigetaną (“to find, seize”), equivalent to be- + get. Cognate with Old Saxon bigetan (“to find, seize”), Old High German bigezan (“to gain, achieve, win, procure”).

1. To produce or bring forth (a child); to be a parent of; to father or sire.

   “The King intends to beget a child within the next five years.”

   “¶ And Adam liued an hundred and thirtie yeeres, and begate a ſonne in his owne likeneſſe, after his image; and called his name Seth.”

2. To cause; to produce; to bring forth.

   “Wealth begets wealth; poverty begets poverty.”

   “How one’s thoughts will travel! and how quickly our wishes beget them!”

3. To get or obtain.

   “If there bee neuer a Seruant-monſter i' the Fayre, who can helpe it, he ſayes ; nor a neſt of Antiques ? Hee is loth to make Nature afraid in his Playes, like thoſe that beget Tales, Tempeſts, and ſuch like Drolleries, […]”

4. To happen to; befall.