Definition of the word come to

The origin of the phrase "come to" as a preposition can be traced back to Middle English, around the 14th century. At that time, the preposition used to mean "to approach" or "to arrive at." This meaning is still present in modern English, as when someone says, "It's been a long journey, but we're finally coming to the end of the road." Another meaning of "come to," which is less common today, is "to understand or realize." This sense of the phrase can be seen in Shakespeare's play "Henry IV, Part 2," in which the character Justice Shallow complains, "Nay, but I know him well; I have seen his picture, and his device is come to me." Here, "come to" means "come into the mind" or "become apparent." The origin of this meaning is uncertain, but it may have developed from earlier uses of "come to" to denote the arrival of someone or something, specifically a messenger bearing news or an idea that has just occurred to someone. In this sense, "come to" implies a sudden realization or comprehension.