n.
Pronunciation: bi- ' h ā -vy ə r, b ē -
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of Middle English behavour, from behaven
Date: 15th century
1 a : the manner of conducting oneself b : anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation c : the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
2 : the way in which someone behaves also : an instance of such behavior
3 : the way in which something functions or operates
– be · hav · ior · al \ -vy ə -r ə l \ adjective
– be · hav · ior · al · ly \ -r ə -l ē \ adverb