befall etymology

Etymology

The word "befall" comes from the Middle English word "befallen," which is itself derived from the Old English verb "befeallan," meaning "to fall or happen to." The prefix "be-" in Old English often indicated a sudden or unexpected occurrence, so "befeallan" implied something that happened to someone without their intention or control.

Meaning

"Befall" means to happen to someone, typically in an unexpected or unfortunate way. It is often used to describe negative or unpleasant events, such as accidents, illnesses, or misfortunes. For example:

• "He was badly injured when a heavy object befell him from a high shelf."
• "The company was forced to close after a series of financial misfortunes befell it."

Origin

The verb "befeallan" is thought to be of Germanic origin, possibly from the Proto-Germanic root "fallan" meaning "to fall." It is related to other Germanic words such as the German "fallen" and the Swedish "falla," all of which mean "to fall."

befall relate terms

• fall

  Etymology Middle English fallen Old English feallan Proto Germanic fallaną Meani

• case

  Etymology The word case derives from the Old French word cas which in turn comes fro

• befall

  Etymology The word befall comes from the Middle English word befallen which is itsel

• happen

  Etymology The word happen comes from the Middle English happen which is derived fro

• become

  Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true sense

• worth

  Etymology Worth originates from the Old English word weorþ or weorþe which mean

• occur

  Etymology The word occur comes from the Latin verb occurrere which means to run in

• incur

  Etymology The word incur comes from the Late Latin verb incurrere which means to r

• symptom

  Etymology Ancient Greek σύμπτωμα sýmptōma meaning incident concomitant

• escheat

  Etymology The word escheat comes from the Old French word escheoir meaning to fall

• pass

  Etymology and Origin The word pass comes from the Old French word passer meaning t

• algebra

  Etymology The word algebra comes from Arabic الجبر al jabr meaning reunion