befalling

A happening; occurrence; chance; event.

Adjective

  1. Appertaining; appropriate; fitting.
    • Bountie & largeſſe is befalling for kynges. - 1564 February, Erasmus, “The Saiynges of Antigonus the Firste Kyng of the Macedonians”, in Nicolas Udall [i.e., Nicholas Udall], transl., Apophthegmes, that is to Saie,...

Origin

From Middle English bifallinge, equivalent to befall + -ing. Cognate with Dutch bevalling (“delivery, labour”), Swedish befallning (“command, behest, charge”).

Forms

more befalling most befalling

Noun

  1. A happening; occurrence; chance; event.

    Synonyms: affair befalling episode event goings-on happening hap incident occasion occurrence proceeding accident chance contingency casualty fortuity

Forms

befallings

Verb

  1. present participle and gerund of befall