happen English · revision 3516

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1375}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈhæp.ən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|happenen]], formed from [[hap|alt=hap]], “chance, luck”, with the verb-forming suffix [[-en]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(COED 2004)^(MWU 2024) an extension of the more common verb ''hap'', which it superseded.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) Barnhart notes possible influence from Old English [[m|ang|hæppan]].^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline notes that Old English used [[m|ang|gelimpan]] and [[m|ang|gesceon]] in this sense, and Middle English also [[befall]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[happy]], [[perhaps]] and [[haphazard]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To come to pass, occur, originally by hap or chance: about 1375^(OED 1989) or about 1380.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “To have the fortune to do something” is from the 14th century,^(OED 1989) and “to come or go casually, to make an appearance” from before 1450.^(OED 1989) “To come upon by chance”, with ''on'' or ''upon'', is from 1533.^(OED 1989) ''Happening'', an occurrence, is from 1551.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Happens to be'', as an assertive way of saying “is”, is from 1707.^(Etymonline) In Scotland and the north, ''happen'' as an adverb means “perhaps”, from the late 15th century.^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1375 – to come to pass.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1450 – to make an appearance.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 15th century – adverb, perhaps (northern).^(SOED 2002)

+ * 1533 – ''happen on'', to find by chance.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1551 – ''happening''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1707 – ''happens to be''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To come to pass; to take place.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To occur by chance.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To come upon something by chance.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To come or go casually; to turn up.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To chance to be or do: ''he happened to be there''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[happenchance]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[happening]]

+ * [[happenstance]]

+ * [[hap]]

+ * [[happy]]

+ * [[haphazard]]

+ * [[perhaps]]

+ * [[mishap]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary compares ''happen'' with ''befall'', ''betide'', ''chance'' and ''occur'', all meaning “to come about”.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}