befriend

Definition

To become a friend of, to make friends with.

Etymology

From be- + friend. Compare Saterland Frisian befrüündje (“to befriend”), Dutch bevrienden (“to befriend”), German Low German befründen (“to befriend”), German befreunden (“to befriend”). Compare also West Frisian befreone (“befriended”).

Example Sentences

• "1854, Henry David Thoreau, Walden, p. 143. Every little pine needle expanded and swelled with sympathy and befriended me."
• "Befriending one of the 112 managing directors was not enough; you had to befriend a managing director with clout. There was one small problem, of course. Bosses were not always eager to befriend trainees."
• ""We had a professional relationship, whereas the previous vicar was a friend and had befriended me." "Were you available to befriend people? You said it in a passive voice, as though others befriended you."

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