( formal , especially BrE ) to be realized by sb, especially after a period of time :
It was gradually borne in on us that defeat was inevitable.
( formal , especially BrE ) to be realized by sb, especially after a period of time :
It was gradually borne in on us that defeat was inevitable.
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005