befalling

English

Etymology

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

Noun

befalling (plural befallings)

1. A happening; occurrence; chance; event.

Verb

befalling

1. present participle and gerund of befall

Adjective

befalling (comparative more befalling, superlative most befalling)

1. (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.