- come
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I. verb
(came; come; coming)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cuman; akin to Old High German queman to come, Latin venire, Greek bainein to walk, go
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. to move toward something ; approach <come here> b. to move or journey to a vicinity with a specified purpose <come see us> <come and see what's going on> c. (1) to reach a particular station in a series <now we come to the section on health> (2) to arrive in due course <the time has come> d. (1) to approach in kind or quality <this comes near perfection> (2) to reach a condition or conclusion <came to regard him as a friend> <come to think of it, you may be right> e. (1) to advance toward accomplishment ; come along <the job is coming nicely> (2) to advance in a particular manner <come running when I call> (3) to advance, rise, or improve in rank or condition <has come a long way> f. extend <her dress came to her ankles> 2. a. (1) to arrive at a particular place, end, result, or conclusion <came to his senses> <come untied> (2) amount <the taxes on it come to more than it's worth> b. (1) to appear to the mind <the answer came to them> (2) to appear on a scene ; make an appearance <children come equipped to learn any language> c. (1) happen, occur <no harm will come to you> (2) to come to pass ; take place — used in the subjunctive with inverted subject and verb to express the particular time or occasion <come spring the days will be longer> d. originate, arise <wine comes from grapes> <they come of sturdy stock> e. to enter or assume a condition, position, or relation <artillery came into action> f. to fall within a field of view or a range of application <this comes within the terms of the treaty> g. to issue forth <a sob came from her throat> h. to take form <churn till the butter comes> i. to be available <this model comes in several sizes> <as good as they come> j. often vulgar to experience orgasm 3. to fall to a person in a division or inheritance of property 4. obsolete to become moved favorably ; relent 5. to turn out to be <good clothes don't come cheap> 6. become <a dream that came true> transitive verb 1. to approach or be near (an age) <a child coming eight years old> 2. to take on the aspect of <come the stern parent> II. noun Date: 1923 1. often vulgar semen 2. often vulgar orgasm
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.