/ bɪˈheɪv; NAmE / verb
1.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to do things in a particular way
SYN act :
The doctor behaved very unprofessionally.
They behaved very badly towards their guests.
He behaved like a true gentleman.
She behaved with great dignity.
He behaved as if / though nothing had happened.
They behave differently when you're not around.
HELP NOTE : In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though , especially in NAmE :
He behaved like nothing had happened.
This is not considered correct in written BrE .
2.
behave (yourself) to do things in a way that people think is correct or polite :
[ v ]
Will you kids just behave!
She doesn't know how to behave in public.
[ vn ]
I want you to behave yourselves while I'm away.
OPP misbehave
3.
-behaved (in adjectives) behaving in the way mentioned :
well- / badly-behaved children
4.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( technical ) to naturally react, move, etc. in a particular way :
a study of how metals behave under pressure
•
IDIOMS
see own verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from be- thoroughly + have in the sense have or bear (oneself) in a particular way (corresponding to modern German sich behaben ).