befalling
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English bifallinge, equivalent to befall + -ing. Cognate with Dutch bevalling (“delivery, labour”), Swedish befallning (“command, behest, charge”).
Noun[edit]
befalling (plural befallings)
- A happening; occurrence; chance; event.
Verb[edit]
befalling
- present participle and gerund of befall
Adjective[edit]
befalling (comparative more befalling, superlative most befalling)
- (archaic) Appertaining; appropriate; fitting.
- 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:
- Bountie & largeſſe is befalling for kynges.