| take the first step or steps in carrying out an action |
| set in motion, cause to start |
| begin to speak or say |
| begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language |
| achieve or accomplish in the least degree, usually used in the negative |
| begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object |
| have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense |
| be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a series |
| have a beginning characterized in some specified way |
| have a beginning, of a temporal event |