Befriending

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The process of establishing a connection with another individual that emphasizes mutual understanding and support occurs during the development of a friendship
2. Engaging with someone in a way that nurtures camaraderie and valuable connection results in the formation of a supportive relationship
3. The act of developing a friendly relationship through kindness and shared experiences

Etymology: Befriending is simply the present participle of "befriend," so the story belongs to the verb. The surprising part is how plain the making of it was: "befriend" is built from "be-," an intensifying prefix, and "friend" used as a verb, meaning "to befriend" literally "to friend thoroughly" or "to make a friend of someone." The prefix is an old English element, and the same pattern shows up in cognate verbs across the Germanic languages: Dutch "bevrienden," German "befreunden," and West Frisian "befreone." The root behind "friend" goes back a long way. Its Proto-Germanic ancestors were built on a word for "love" or "be fond of," and the English form "frēond" was the present participle of that verb, so a friend was originally someone who loves. That sense of affection still sits underneath the modern word. "Befriend" appeared in English in Middle English, when "bi-" was the usual prefix form before it settled into "be-." The verb meant to show friendship toward someone, and "befriending" carries that same meaning in its present participle form.

Synonyms: making friends, friend-making