—v.intr.
1 occur (by chance or otherwise).
2 (foll. by to + infin.) have the (good or bad) fortune to (I happened to meet her).
3 (foll. by to) be the (esp. unwelcome) fate or experience of (what happened to you?; I hope nothing happens to them).
4 (foll. by on) encounter or discover by chance.
—adv. N.Engl. dial. perhaps, maybe (happen it'll rain).
Phrases and idioms:
as it happens in fact; in reality (as it happens, it turned out well).
Etymology: ME f. HAP + -EN(1)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.