befinde

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

befinde

1. (reflexive) to be located

   Jeg befandt mig i et mørkt rum.

   I was in a dark room.

2. (obsolete, formal) to find, to deem, to determine
   • 1797, Kong Christian den Femtes danske lov, page 289:

     ... saafremt det befindes klarligen, at han enten for uskikkeligt Levnet er berygtet, eller af Drukkenskab samme Forseelse haver begaaet, ...

     ... if it is found to be clear that he is either infamous for improper behaviour, or has done that same misdemeanour out of inebriation, ...

   • 1836, Chronologisk samling af de kongelige forordninger og aabne breve, forst- og jegtvaesenet i det egentlige Danmark angaaende, som fra aaret 1660 til vore tider ere udkomne, Denmark, page 243:

     Befindes Noget at være borttaget i Skoven og Gjærningsmanden ikke træffes, kan vedkommende Skovbetjent medtage een eller to Mænd og randsage, hvor han kan have nogen Formodning, hvori Ingen maa hindre

     If anything is found to have been removed from the forest, and the perpetrator cannot be found, the appropriate forest officer may bring one or two men and search, whereever he may have any suspicion, and none may prevent him from doing so.

   • 1796, Beskrivelse over kongeriget Norge, øerne Island og Færøerne, samt Grønland, ...: forfattet i alphabetisk orden, page 780:

     Paa en deel Steder befandtes at de havde optændt Ild, ...

     In several places, it was found that they had lit fires, ...

   Synonyms: finde, konstatere

• befindende

• Audio

  (file)

befinde

1. inflection of befinden:
   1. first-person singular present
   2. first/third-person singular subjunctive I
   3. singular imperative