behave Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
    do; act.
    • You should act like an adult
    • Don't behave like a fool
    • What makes her do this way?
    • The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
  2. verb behave in a certain manner
    acquit; comport; bear; conduct; carry; deport.
    • She carried herself well
    • he bore himself with dignity
    • They conducted themselves well during these difficult times
  3. verb behave well or properly
    comport.
    • The children must learn to behave

WordNet

Be*have" transitive verb
Etymology
AS. behabban to surround, restrain, detain (akin to G. gehaben (obs.) to have, sich gehaben to behave or carry one's self); pref. be- + habban to have. See Have, v. t.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Behaved present participle & verbal noun Behaving
Definitions
  1. To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline; to handle; to restrain. Obs.
    He did behave his anger ere 't was spent. Shak.
  2. To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; -- used reflexively.
    Those that behaved themselves manfully. 2 Macc. ii. 21.
Be*have" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to behave well or ill. ✍ This verb is often used colloquially without an adverb of manner; as, if he does not behave, he will be punished. It is also often applied to inanimate objects; as, the ship behaved splendidly.

Webster 1913