befall

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb become of; happen to
  2. verb happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance; ; (Santayana)

Etymology

From Middle English bifallen, from Old English befeallan, from Proto-West Germanic *bifallan, from Proto-Germanic *bifallaną; equivalent to be- + fall.

In classic literature

Synonyms

bechance, betide

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