v. 1 intr. a act or react (in a specified way) (behaved well). b (esp. to or of a child) conduct oneself properly. c (of a machine etc.) work well (or in a specified way) (the computer is not behaving today). 2 refl. (esp. of or to a child) show good manners (behaved herself). behave towards treat (in a specified way). ill-behaved having bad manners or conduct. well-behaved having good manners or conduct.
[ BE- + HAVE ]