[with obj.](poetic/literary)(especially of something bad) happen to (someone) (诗/文)(尤指不幸的事)发生在(某人)身上,降临于 a tragedy befell his daughter. 他女儿遭遇不幸。 [noobj.]she was to blame for anything that befell. 不管发生什么事,她都应该承担责任。
语源
Old English befeallan 'to fall' (early use being chiefly figurative); related to German befallen