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To come by chance; to come without previous expectation; to fall out. There shall no evil happen to the just. Prov. xii. 21.

To happen to. [Obs.]

To happen ill or unluckily. Spenser.

Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not according to the usual course of things; casual; fortuitous; as, an accidental visit.

That which happens without design; chance; hazard; hap; hence, chance of danger or loss. Nay, a far less good to man it will be found, if she must, at all adventures, be fastened upon him individually. Milton.

An unexpected subsequent event; something disagreeable happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end. Spenser.

To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; -- followed by with; as, the flood and ebb tides alternate with each other. Rage, shame, and grief alternate in his breast. J. Philips. Different species alternating with each other. Kirwan.

Old; that happened or existed in former times, usually at a great distance of time; belonging to times long past; specifically applied to the times before the fall of the Roman empire; -- opposed to modern; as, ancient authors, literature, history; ancient days. Witness those ancient empires of the earth. Milton. Gilda…

on of events in chronological order, each event being recorded under the year in which it happened. "Annals the revolution." Macaulay. "The annals of our religion." Rogers.

Of or pertaining to a year; returning every year; coming or happening once in the year; yearly. The annual overflowing of the river [Nile]. Ray.

Previous view or impression of what is to happen; instinctive prevision; foretaste; antepast; as, the anticipation of the joys of heaven. The happy anticipation of renewed existence in company with the spirits of the just. Thodey.

To happen or occur. [Archaic] Happy! to whom this glorious death arrives. Waller.

Subject; matter; concern; distinct. [Obs.] A very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding. Addison. This last article will hardly be believed. De Foe.

saved by the sacrifice. Kent. -- Particular average signifies the damage or partial loss happening to the ship, or cargo, or freight, in consequence of some fortuitous or unavoidable accident; and it is borne by the individual owners of the articles damaged, or by their insurers. -- Petty averages are sundry small ch…

To take place; to happen; as, the meeting was on Thursday.

To befall; to chance; to happen to. God knows what hath bechanced them. Shak.

To happen to. I beseech your grace that I may know The worst that may befall me. Shak.

To be deserved by. [Obs.] More evils belong us than happen to us. B. Jonson.

To happen to; to befall; to come to ; as, woe betide the wanderer. What will betide the few Milton.

Happening, or taking place, once in two years; as, a biennial election.