Definition of come across

The origin of the phrase "come across" can be traced back to the mid-19th century, specifically the year 1850, when it first appeared in print in the British publication "Chambers' Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art". Its usage was initially restricted to the context of literature, where it referred to the accidental discovery or revelation of a character or plot point in a writing project. The phrase can be broken down into two components: "come", meaning to approach or arrive at a location, and "across", denoting a crossing over or encountering of something. The compound verb "come across" essentially implies an unplanned and coincidental encounter or disclosure. Over time, the meaning of "come across" has expanded beyond literature to include usage in everyday speech, primarily as a transitive verb to signify stumbling upon something or someone unexpectedly. Its use as an intransitive verb, meaning to have a coincidence or unexpected meeting occur, also gained popularity in the late 19th century. Today, "come across" is widely used in various contexts, including business, social interactions, and research, to describe the discovery of new or valuable information or resources. It has become a part of the English lexicon and continues to evolve in its usage.