become

The story

1. Proto-Germanic · inherited from*bikwemaną“to come around, come about, come across, come by”
2. Old English · inherited frombecuman“to come (to), approach, arrive, enter, meet with, fall in with; happen, befall; befit”
3. Middle English · inherited frombecomen
4. English todaybecome

A compound of the sources of be- + come. From Middle English becomen, bicumen, from Old English becuman (“to come (to), approach, arrive, enter, meet with, fall in with; happen, befall; befit”), from Proto-Germanic *bikwemaną (“to come around, come about, come across, come by”), equivalent to be- (“about, around”) + come. Cognate with Scots becum (“to come, arrive, reach a destination”), North Frisian bekommen, bykommen (“to come by, obtain, receive”), West Frisian bikomme (“to come by, obtain, receive”), Dutch bekomen (“to come by, obtain, receive”), German bekommen (“to get, receive, obtain”), Swedish bekomma (“to receive, concern”), Gothic 𐌱𐌹𐌵𐌹𐌼𐌰𐌽 (biqiman, “to come upon one, befall”). Sense of "befit, suit" due to influence from Middle English cweme, icweme, see queem. Displaced Old English weorþan.

First known use, by meaning

• from 12th c. begin to be; turn into (often with permanent states).
• from 12th c. To come about; happen; come into being; arise.
• from 13th c. To be appropriate for.
• from 14th c. Of an adornment, piece of clothing etc.: to look attractive on (someone).
• 9th–18th c. To arrive, come (to a place).