English Explanatory Dictionary

behave

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To conduct (oneself) well, or in a given way; to conform.
  2. To act, conduct oneself in a specific manner; used with an adverbial of manner.
  3. To conduct, manage, regulate (something).
  4. To act in a polite or proper way.

Pronunciation

/bɪˈheɪv/ /biːˈheɪv/ /bi-/ /bə-/ en-us-behave.ogg

Word forms

behave behaves behaving behaved no-table-tags glossary behavest behavedst behaveth

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Proto-Indo-European *kap-der. Proto-Germanic *habjaną Proto-West Germanic *habbjan Proto-West Germanic *bihabbjan Old English behabban Middle English behaven English behave From Middle English behaven, bihabben (“to restrain, behave”), from Old English behabban (“to surround, embrace, hold, contain, hold back, withhold, restrain”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihabbjan, equivalent to be- + have. Cognate with Middle Low German behebben, behāven (“to receive, acquire, reach, keep”), Low German behebben (“to act, behave”), German behaben (“to behave”).

Synonyms

deport tread acquit

Related words

behavior behaviour behavioral behavioural behaviorist behaviourist behaviorism behaviourism

Derived words

behave oneself behaver misbehave
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