— behavioral , adj. — behaviorally , adv.
/bi hayv"yeuhr/ , n.
1. manner of behaving or acting.
2. Psychol. , Animal Behav.
a. observable activity in a human or animal.
b. the aggregate of responses to internal and external stimuli.
c. a stereotyped, species-specific activity, as a courtship dance or startle reflex.
3. Often, behaviors . a behavior pattern.
4. the action or reaction of any material under given circumstances: the behavior of tin under heat.
Also, esp. Brit., behaviour .
[ 1375-1425; BEHAVE + -ior (on model of havior, var. of havor h ) avoir habere to have); r. late ME behavoure, behaver. See BEHAVE, -OR 1 ]
Syn. 1. demeanor, manners; bearing, carriage. BEHAVIOR, CONDUCT, DEPORTMENT, COMPORTMENT refer to one's actions before or toward others, esp. on a particular occasion. BEHAVIOR refers to actions usually measured by commonly accepted standards: His behavior at the party was childish. CONDUCT refers to actions viewed collectively, esp. as measured by an ideal standard: Conduct is judged according to principles of ethics. DEPORTMENT is behavior related to a code or to an arbitrary standard: Deportment is guided by rules of etiquette. The teacher gave Susan a mark of B in deportment. COMPORTMENT is behavior as viewed from the standpoint of one's management of one's own actions: His comportment was marked by a quiet assurance.