the act of making someone a friend or offering friendship, especially to someone isolated or in need.
The gerund form of befriend, combining 'be-' + 'friend' + '-ing.' Became increasingly common in social work and psychology contexts in the 20th century.
Befriending programs exist worldwide, where trained volunteers reach out to isolated elderly people or struggling teens—it's fascinating how this old verb got new life as a modern social intervention.
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