come about

present singular third person comes about · participle present coming about · past came about

1. intransitiveTo come to pass; to develop; to occur; to take place; to happen; to exist.

   We have to ask, how did this come about?

   1 more example

   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

   Synonyms: come to pass

2. intransitivenauticalTo 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. intransitiveTo 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]

   1 more example

   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)