First used in U.S., and still regarded as an Americanism, though it has been employed by good writers in England.]
1. intr. To have a (specified) event or issue; to turn out (well or ill); to issue, result in.
1789. Gouv. Morris, in Sparks, Life & Writ. (1832), I. 313. I am sure it is wrong, and cannot eventuate well.
1835. M. Scott, Cruise Midge, xii. The squib had eventuated, as the Yankees say … in a zigzag or cracker.
1855. Milman, Lat. Chr. (1864), IX. XIV. iii. 151. The Schoolmen could not but eventuate in William of Ockham.
1873. Smiles, Huguenots Fr., II. ii. (1881), 361. He heard … the discussions which eventuated in Acts of Parliament.
1877. A. J. Ross, Mem. Alex. Ewing, xxxi. 536. The crisis [the serious illness of the Archbishop of Canterbury] had eventuated favourably.
2. To be the issue; to result, come about.
1834. De Quincey, Coleridge, Wks. (1863), II. 93. In the upshot, this conclusion eventuated (to speak Yankeeishly), that [etc.].
1876. C. M. Davies, Unorth. Lond. (ed. 2), 25. If So-and-so were condemned, a schism in the National Church would eventuate.
1884. Law Times, 14 June, 121/1. When there was danger of a war eventuating with America.
3. trans. To bring to the event or issue.
1837–40. Haliburton, Clockm. (1862), 103. Yes, (to eventuate my story), it did me good.
