behave
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.be·have
verb \bi-ˈhāv, bē-\ be·haved be·hav·ing
Definition of BEHAVE
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
See Examples of BEHAVE
- If you can't behave in the store we'll have to leave.
- If you can't behave yourself in the store we'll have to leave.
- I wish those children would behave themselves.
- He behaves like a child!
- The experiment tested how various metals behave under heat and pressure.
Origin of BEHAVE
Middle English behaven, from be- + haven to have, hold
First Known Use: 15th century
Synonym Discussion of BEHAVE
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>.
Rhymes with BEHAVE
airwave, brain wave, cold wave, concave, conclave, deprave, dissave, drawshave, enclave, engrave, enslave, exclave, ground wave, heat wave, margrave, new wave, octave, outbrave, Palgrave, palsgrave, shock wave, shortwave, sine wave, sky wave, sound wave, spokeshave, S wave, wage slave, white slave, Wind Cave
be·have
verb \bi-ˈhāv\ (Medical Dictionary)be·havedbe·hav·ing
Medical Definition of BEHAVE
transitive verb
: to bear or conduct (oneself) in a particular way
intransitive verb
: to act, function, or react in a particular way
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