Definition of befall

The origin of the word "befall" can be traced back to Middle English, around the 14th and 15th centuries. The phrase "be-falle" was used in this time to mean "happen by chance" or "occur unexpectedly." The roots of "befall" lie in the Old English verb "falan," which meant "to fall" or "happen." This verb was used in the sense of "happen by chance" or "occur unexpectedly" during the Middle English period, but it began to take on a more religious connotation. The Anglo-Saxon Church saw "fall" as a word with moral implications, indicating a descent into sin. As a result, "fall" came to be associated with punishment, damnation, and the loss of grace. This religious interpretation led to "fall" being replaced by "befall" in some contexts, particularly when referring to fortunate or pleasant events. In the modern English language, "befall" connotes an unexpected, often fortunate, event, and is used to refer to occurrences that are seen as beyond a person's control. Though less commonly used than in earlier times, "befall" remains a part of the English lexicon, preserving a nod to its origins and the history of the English language.