befall
[ bih-fawl ]
/ bɪˈfɔl /
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verb (used without object), be·fell, be·fall·en, be·fall·ing.
to happen or occur.
Archaic. to come, as by right.
verb (used with object), be·fell, be·fall·en, be·fall·ing.
to happen to, especially by chance or fate.
OTHER WORDS FOR befall
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use befall in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for befall
befall
/ (bɪˈfɔːl) /
verb -falls, -falling, -fell or -fallen archaic, or literary
(intr) to take place; come to pass
(tr) to happen to
(intr usually foll by to) to be due, as by right
Word Origin for befall
Old English befeallan; related to Old High German bifallan, Dutch bevallen; see be-, fall
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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