On-gin[n]

n. I. a beginning:--Ðæs weges ongin, ðe tó Criste lǽt, ne meg beón begunnen on fruman bútan sumre ancsumnysse, R. Ben. 5, 16. Næs his frymþ ǽfre, eádes ongyn, Exon. Th. 240, 13; Ph. 638. His ríces ongin (original condition) nǽfre gewonaþ, Blickl. Homl. 9, 16. II. an attempt, undertaking, enterprise:--Micel is ðæt ongin ðínre gelícan ðæt ðú forhycge hláford úrne it is a great undertaking for the like of thee to despise our lord, Exon. Th. 250, 15; Jul. 127. Gif ðú gewítest ána from éþele, nis ðæt onginn wiht, 119, 2; Gú. 248. Ongin, 123, 22; Gú. 326. Be ðam onginne ðe hé ongan, ðæt wésten swá ána eardigan, Guthl. 4; Gdwin. 28, 7. Ðú miht æt Gode ábiddan ðæt ðú wilt wið ðæs drýg onginne, Blickl. Homl. 187, 19. Onginnum incoeptis, Hpt. Gl. 515, 15. III. action, proceeding:--Gesticulatio angin jocus l actus, 473, 61. Wrætlíc þúhte stánes ongin (the stone spoke), Andr. Kmbl. 1482; An. 742. Yða ongin the violent action of the waves, 931; An. 466. IV. action, activity, active life, actions, endeavours:--Ðǽr wæs wuldres wynn, wígendra þrym, æðelíc onginn, næs ðǽr ǽnigum gewinn, 1775; An. 890. Ðæt se ǽresta dǽl his onginnes and líles wǽre tó geleáfan gecyrred. Blickl. Homl. 211, 30. Drihtne úres anginnes nán þing dígle ne biþ. . . 'Beforan ðé is eall mín gewilnung,' R. Ben. 25, 9. [O. Sax. ana-, an-gin: O. H. Ger. ana-gin, -ginni.]