51Թ

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View synonyms for

befall

[bih-fawl]

verb (used without object)

befell, befallen, befalling. 
  1. to happen or occur.

    Synonyms: , , , ,
  2. Archaic.to come, as by right.



verb (used with object)

befell, befallen, befalling. 
  1. to happen to, especially by chance or fate.

befall

/ ɪˈɔː /

verb

  1. (intr) to take place; come to pass

  2. (tr) to happen to

  3. to be due, as by right

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of befall1

before 900; Middle English befallen, Old English befeallan. See be-, fall (v.)
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of befall1

Old English befeallan ; related to Old High German bifallan , Dutch bevallen ; see be- , fall
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The American people were repeatedly warned about the calamity that would befall the United States if Donald Trump were put back in power.

From

The disaster that has befallen Blatten is the worst nightmare for communities across the Alps.

From

Remember Y2K, the impending doom that would befall us all when ill-equipped computer systems switched from “99” to “00” at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1999?

From

There’s also discussion about moving around steelhead to create backup populations should calamity befall one, as well as boost genetic diversity of the rare fish.

From

I glanced over to find the mother staring into the abyss of the fridge, experiencing some premonition of what grim fate was about to befall her daughter.

From

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