Definition of "come about"

come about

verb
third-person singular simple present comes about, present participle coming about, simple past came about, past participle come about
1. (intransitive) To come to pass; to develop; to occur; to take place; to happen; to exist.
  Quotations
  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
2. (intransitive, nautical) To 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. (intransitive) To change; to come round.
  Quotations
  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, [Act II, scene vi]
  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, (please specify |act=I to V)

Definition of "come about"

come about

verb

Quotations

Quotations