be·came

[bih-keym]
verb
simple past tense of become.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

be·come

[bih-kuhm] verb, be·came, be·come, be·com·ing.
verb (used without object)
1.
to come, change, or grow to be (as specified): He became tired.
2.
to come into being.
verb (used with object)
3.
to be attractive on; befit in appearance; look well on: That gown becomes you.
4.
to be suitable or necessary to the dignity, situation, or responsibility of: conduct that becomes an officer.
Idioms
5.
become of, to happen to; be the fate of: What will become of him?
Origin:
before 900; Middle English becumen, Old English becuman to come about, happen; cognate with Dutch bekomen, German bekommen, Gothic biqiman. See be-, come

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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to bark; yelp.
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World English Dictionary
became (bɪˈkeɪm) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb
the past tense of become

become (bɪˈkʌm) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb , -comes, -coming, -came, -come
1.  (copula) to come to be; develop or grow into: he became a monster
2.  (foll by of; usually used in a question) to fall to or be the lot (of); happen (to): what became of him?
3.  (tr) (of clothes, etc) to enhance the appearance of (someone); suit: that dress becomes you
4.  (tr) to be appropriate; befit: it ill becomes you to complain
 
[Old English becuman to happen; related to Old High German biqueman to come to, Gothic biquiman to appear suddenly]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

become
O.E. becuman "happen, come about," also "meet with, arrive," from P.Gmc. *bikweman "become" (cf. Du. bekomen, Ger. bekommen, Goth. biquiman). A compound of be and come; it drove out O.E. weorðan.

became
p.t. of become (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
We moved the old refrigerator to the garage, which became our temporary kitchen.
Now it seems that the hunted sometimes became the hunter.
He did not pull his punches when he became a restaurant critic, either.
Then he went into business and soon became a millionaire by his own exertions.
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