befall
befall
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "befall" is /bɪˈfɔːl/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
be-: /bɪ/
/b/ as in "boy"
/ɪ/ as in "bit"
-fall: /ˈfɔːl/
/ˈ/ indicates the primary stress on this syllable
/f/ as in "fan"
/ɔː/ as in "law" (a long "o" sound)
/l/ as in "lip"
Word Form Variations
"Befall" itself is a verb. Therefore, it has verb conjugations but doesn't have singular/plural variations like nouns do. Here are its principal parts (the different forms it takes in verb conjugations):
Base form: befall
Past simple: befell
Past participle: befallen
Present participle: befalling
Third-person singular present: befalls
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
"Befall" is primarily a verb. It doesn't commonly function as other parts of speech.
Verb:
Definition 1: To happen to someone or something, especially something bad or unfortunate. To occur as a mishap or misfortune.
Synonyms: happen, occur, transpire, overtake, bechance, come about, fall out, betide
Antonyms: avert, prevent, avoid, forestall, preclude, ward off
Definition 2: (Formal/Archaic) To come to pass; to happen. This definition is less common in modern usage.
Synonyms: come to pass, occur, happen, transpire
Antonyms: (Similar to above) avert, prevent, avoid, forestall, preclude, ward off
Example Usage:
"Tragedy befell the family when their house burned down."
"Whatever may befall us, we will remain strong."
It's important to note that "befall" almost always carries a negative connotation, implying something unfortunate or undesirable. While it can technically mean simply "to happen," the context usually suggests something bad.
Examples of Use
Literature: "And many evils did befall them." (Homer, The Odyssey) - While a translation, it demonstrates the classic use of the word.
News: "Economic hardship has befallen many small businesses due to the pandemic." (Hypothetical example, reflecting common news themes) News articles often use "befall" when reporting on disasters, tragedies, or economic downturns.
Online Publications: "What to do if your website is befallen by a cyberattack." (Hypothetical example, reflecting common online content) Tech articles or blogs might use it in the context of problems or misfortunes.
Entertainment (Film/TV): "A terrible curse has befallen this ancient tomb!" (Hypothetical dialogue from an adventure movie) The word fits well in narratives involving misfortune or fate.
General Public Discourse: "I hope no ill befalls my family during our travels." (Example of spoken or written communication) People use it in everyday conversation when discussing potential misfortunes.
Gaming: "The kingdom was befallen by a dark magic." (Hypothetical example from a fantasy game) The word is suitable for narratives involving curses, plagues, or other calamities that affect a game world.
10 Famous Quotes Using Befall
"Whatever may befall thee, it was preordained for thee from everlasting." — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
"Let come what will, and befall what may." — William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part III
"No evil shall befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." — Psalm 91:10 (Bible)
"What fortune may befall us, we know not; but what we choose, that we are." — John Milton
"Death will befall us all; life is the only gift we can spend wisely." — Seneca
"Let justice be done though the heavens fall; let wrong befall no man in silence." — Attributed to William Murray, Lord Mansfield
"I fear not what may befall me, for I have already found within what cannot be lost." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"No harm can befall a good man, either in life or in death." — Plato, Apology
"When misfortunes befall us, they bring with them the lesson of endurance." — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Whatever may befall, remember that your mind is free to choose its response." — Epictetus
Etymology
"Befall" comes from Old English, specifically the word "befeallan." Think of it as a combination of two parts:
"be-": This prefix acts like "by" or "about." It intensifies the meaning or indicates something happening to someone.
"fallan": This is the Old English word for "to fall." It's related to the modern English word "fall," of course.
So, put them together, and "befall" originally meant something like "to fall upon," "to happen to," or "to come about." It often, though not always, carried the implication of something unfortunate "falling" upon someone.
Unfortunately, pinpointing the very first known use of "befall" is difficult. We don't have records of every single word ever spoken or written in Old English. However, we know that "befeallan" existed in Old English and was used in texts from that period (roughly 450 AD to 1150 AD). Because of its meaning, it was likely used to describe events, occurrences, and especially misfortunes or calamities that happened to people.
Over time, the word evolved slightly in spelling and pronunciation, becoming the "befall" we use today. The core meaning has remained consistent: to happen or occur, especially something unfortunate. The "falling" metaphor is still present, even if we don't consciously think about it.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Befall
The word "befall" isn't commonly used in idioms or set phrases. This is likely because it's a somewhat formal word, and idioms tend to be more informal and colloquial. Also, its meaning (something unfortunate happening) doesn't readily lend itself to the figurative language typically used in idioms.
It's difficult to find established idioms using "befall." Phrases (including some original/creative examples):
"Whatever may befall us..." (This is a common introductory phrase in formal contexts.)
"A great misfortune befell the kingdom." (A descriptive phrase, often found in literature or historical accounts.)
"Lest a similar fate befall them." (A cautionary phrase.)
"The tragedy that befell the family." (A descriptive phrase used in news or narratives.)
"I hope no harm befalls you." (A wish for someone's safety.)
"They were prepared for whatever might befall them." (A phrase indicating readiness for potential problems.)
Idioms capturing the sense of "befall" (without using the word):
"To be struck by misfortune": This captures the sudden and negative aspect of something happening.
"To fall on hard times": This idiom suggests a period of difficulty or misfortune.
"To meet with disaster": This indicates encountering a significant negative event.
"To be hit by a stroke of bad luck": This captures the idea of random misfortune.
"To have the rug pulled out from under you": This idiom suggests a sudden and unexpected misfortune.
"To go through the wringer": This captures the idea of experiencing a difficult or traumatic event.
While "befall" itself isn't a common ingredient in idioms, the concept it represents (misfortune, something happening to someone) is frequently expressed through other idiomatic phrases.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of befall from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
