I. ˈkän(ˌ)dəkt noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Latin conductus ) of earlier conduit, condit, from Middle English, from Old French conduit, conduite action of leading, commanding, guiding, escorting, from Medieval Latin conductus (masculine), conducta (feminine), past participle of conducere to escort, safeguard on the road, from Latin, to bring together — more at conduce
1.
a. obsolete : a company of attendants or guards to guide and protect (as a traveler or caravan) on a journey
b. obsolete : a document granting permission to pass in safety : a formal permission to pass over, through, or to a particular place : safe-conduct
c. archaic : guide , leader
2.
a. : the act, manner, or process of carrying out (as a task) or carrying forward (as a business, government, or war) : management , direction
the conduct of the examination should take less than an hour
the conduct of foreign affairs
b. : a manner of arrangement or treatment (as of parts in a painting) : rendition
conduct of details
3.
a. obsolete : leadership (as of an army)
b. obsolete : capability in leadership or management : aptitude in command : address
c. : a mode or standard of personal behavior especially as based on moral principles — sometimes distinguished from behavior
animals … do not rise from behavior to conduct — J.S.Clarke
d. : behavior in a particular situation or relation or on a specified occasion
conduct unbecoming to a gentleman
his disgusting conduct at the party
4. : the act or process of leading or guiding : guidance
moving at random under the conduct of chance
known for his editorial conduct of the local newspaper
II. kənˈdəkt verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Latin conductus ) of earlier conduit, condit, from Middle English conduiten, conditen, from conduit, condit, n. — more at conduct
transitive verb
1. : to bring by or as if by leading : lead , guide , escort
I made a bridge to a rock whence I can reach the other side, so I shall conduct the lambs that way — Rachel Henning
I never should have conducted this chronicle to the stage it has now reached — F.M.Ford
2.
a. : to lead as a commander
conduct a siege
b. : to have the direction of : run , manage , direct
conduct a scientific experiment
conduct a daily newspaper column
a small business enterprise
c. : treat , handle , execute
conduct a detail in a painting
conduct an episode in a poem
d. : to direct as leader the performance or execution of (as a musical work or a group of musicians)
3.
a. : to convey in or as if in a channel
phrases which once started on conduct us … along a well-worn channel to an inevitable end — J.L.Lowes
b. : to act as a medium for conveying (as heat or electricity) : transmit
4. : to behave or comport (oneself) : acquit
intransitive verb
1. of a road or passage : to show the way : lead
2.
a. : to act as leader or director
one could always count on a superb performance from the orchestra when Charles conducted
b. : to transmit or have the quality of transmitting light, heat, sound, or electricity
Synonyms:
manage , control , direct : conduct may imply a leader's supervision, his responsible guidance in a course which he determines
the men who actually conduct and order the industry of the country — G.B.Shaw
Douglas conducted conferences and studies which led to a reorganization of the Stock Exchange — Current Biography
missionaries of the Holy Family conduct a training school and home for students and missionaries — American Guide Series: Texas
manage may imply handling or maneuvering, or guiding along a desired course or to a desired result; it often indicates a general overseeing, with authority to handle details, cope with problems, and make routine decisions
my young wife who could manage a horse better than most men could — Rex Ingamells
our purpose is to manage the government's finances so as to help and not hinder each family in balancing its own budget — D.D.Eisenhower
now do you leave this affair in my hands. Only tell me which woman it is and I will manage the affair — Pearl Buck
the delight she would take in managing a real house, not in any sense as its drudge, but magnificently as its mistress — Floyd Dell
manage a silk mill
manage a baseball team
control stresses notions of authoritative guiding and, when necessary, checking deviation, excess, or error; it may imply complete subordination or subjection to authoritative or autocratic power
“Come, come, Byron”, said the master, controlling him with a broad, strong hand; “none of your nonsense, sir.” — G.B.Shaw
it was apparently regarded as impossible to root out bad desires; all we could do was to control them — Bertrand Russell
pirates at one time practically controlled the coasts of Florida — American Guide Series: Florida
direct may imply constant guiding, regulating, and administering of activities in the interests of smooth operation
directing a research program
directing a manufacturing company
directing Red Cross activities
a physicist is not interfering with Nature, any more than an architect is interfering with Nature when he directs the building of a house — K.K.Darrow
Synonym: see in addition behave .