begang

• begong

From Proto-Germanic *bigangaz (“a going about; way; course”), equivalent to be- +‎ gang. Cognate with Old Frisian bigangnisse, bigongnisse (“celebration”), Old High German bigang (“care; motive; practice”).

begang m (nominative plural begangas)

1. course, passage, circuit

   Holma begang. — The passage of the deep.

2. region, territory, expanse

   Ofer geofenes begang. — Over the sea's expanse. (Beowulf)

3. business, undertaking, service

   Hé hine onwende from ealre þisse worlde begangum. — He would trade for Him all this world for service.

4. cultivation

   Fram ǽlce begange þis land ligeð tólýsed.

5. religious practice

   Ðǽre godcundnesse begang — Divine worship

6. superstitious or magical practice

   Sé þe lufige þisses galdres begang. — Lo, see thee here the practice of the wizard.