befalling

noun, adj — 2 senses

befalling

noun

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

1

A happening; occurrence; chance; event.

befalling

adj

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

1

Archaic 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, Prompte, Quicke, Wittie and Sentẽcious Saiynges, […], London: […] Ihon Kingston, →OCLC, book II, folio 155, recto, paragraph 11, marginal note:

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