befall
Use Befall in a sentence
verb (used without object)
1.
to happen or occur.
2.
Archaic. to come, as by right.
verb (used with object)
3.
to happen to, especially by chance or fate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To befall
Collins
World English Dictionary
befall (bɪˈfɔːl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (usually foll by to) , -falls, -falling, -fell, -fallen | |
| 1. | (intr) to take place; come to pass |
| 2. | (tr) to happen to |
| 3. | to be due, as by right |
| [Old English befeallan; related to Old High German bifallan, Dutch bevallen; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Befall
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
befall
O.E. befeallan "to deprive of; fall to, be assigned to; befall," from be- "by, about" + feallan (see fall).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
But, unfortunately, harm is about to befall the housing market.
And should a great injustice befall you, then do quickly five small ones.
They had to have tribute paid to them so misfortune did not befall you.
But don't underestimate the career fatalities that can befall the politically unaware.
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