v.
Pronunciation: bi- ' h ā v, b ē -
Function: verb
Inflected Form: be · haved ; be · hav · ing
Etymology: Middle English behaven, from be- + haven to have, hold
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way
2 : to conduct (oneself) in a proper manner
intransitive verb
1 : to act, function, or react in a particular way
2 : to conduct oneself properly
– be · hav · er noun
synonyms BEHAVE , CONDUCT , DEPORT , COMPORT , ACQUIT mean to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way. BEHAVE may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous <the children behaved in church>. CONDUCT implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself < conducted herself with unfailing good humor>. DEPORT implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety <the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry>. COMPORT suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position < comported themselves as gentlemen>. ACQUIT applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations < acquitted herself well in her first assignment>.