Pronunciation: [biː fɹˈɛndɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "be friending" is spelled with the letter "e" between "fri" and "ending". This is because the word is a combination of "be" and "friending", indicating the act of becoming or making someone a friend. It is pronounced as /bɪ ˈfrendɪŋ/, with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA phonemic transcription for this word includes the sounds /b/, /ɪ/, /f/, /r/, /ɛ/, /n/, and /d͡ʒ/.
The word "befriending" is actually a compound of the prefix "be-" and the noun "friend".
The prefix "be-" in Old English meant "by" or "near". Over time, it took on the sense of something that is done thoroughly or completely. In this case, it implies the act of forming or establishing a friendship.
The noun "friend" has its origin in Old English, where it was spelled "freond". It was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "frijōndz", which meant "loving" or "affectionate". The word gradually evolved and has been used to refer to a person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
Therefore, the etymology of "befriending" combines the prefix "be-", signifying a thorough or complete act, with the noun "friend", meaning someone with whom one has a close and trusting relationship.
