Dictionary

come about en · VERB

Pronunciation

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Meanings

1. (intransitive) To come to pass; to develop; to occur; to take place; to happen; to exist.
   • We have to ask, how did this come about?
   • In a review of operating experience with the Southern Region diesel-electric multiple-units on the Hastings line, read to the Institution of Locomotive Engineers in October, Mr. W. J. A. Sykes, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer of the S.R., revealed how the somehat unprepossessing appearance of these train sets came about. 1960 December, “The Hastings Line diesel-electric multiple units”, in Trains Illustrated, page 732:
2. (intransitive) To tack; to change tack; to maneuver the bow of a sailing vessel across the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the vessel to the other; to position a boat with respect to the wind after tacking. See also come to.
3. (intransitive) To change; to come round.
   • The wind is come about. c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vi]:
   • On better thoughts, and my urg'd reasons, / They are come about, and won to the true side. 1611, Ben[jamin] Jonson, Catiline His Conspiracy, London: […] [William Stansby?] for Walter Burre, →OCLC, (please specify the page):

Forms

Synonyms

come to pass (to happen) · occur · transpire · come to be

Translations (25)

mhr шочаш (to come to pass) · pl zmieniać kierunek (nautical) · de geschehen (to come to pass) · ru получиться (to come to pass) · pl powstać (to come to pass) · de wenden (nautical) · nl overstag gaan (nautical) · pl przekonać się do (to change) · nl tot stand komen (to come to pass) · fr se passer (to come to pass) · pl zmieniać zdanie (to change) · de ein Wendemanöver durchführen (nautical) · pl przekonywać się do (to change) · pl zmienić kierunek (nautical) · he פָּקַם (nautical) · nl van mening veranderen (to change) · nl gebeuren (to come to pass) · es suceder (to come to pass) · pl zmienić zdanie (to change) · nl wenden (nautical) · es ceñir (nautical) · pl zdarzyć się (to come to pass) · pl powstawać (to come to pass) · pl zdarzać się (to come to pass) · es ocurrir (to come to pass)