Nearby Words

behaving

[bih-heyv] Origin

be·have

[bih-heyv] verb, -haved, -hav·ing.
verb (used without object)
1.
to act in a particular way; conduct or comport oneself or itself: The ship behaves well.
2.
to act properly: Did the child behave?
3.
to act or react under given circumstances: This plastic behaves strangely under extreme heat or cold.
verb (used with object)
4.
to conduct or comport (oneself) in a proper manner: Sit quietly and behave yourself.

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Behaving is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English behaven (reflexive). See be-, have

un·be·hav·ing, adjective
well-be·haved, adjective


1. perform, acquit oneself, deport oneself.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To behaving
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

behave
early 15c., from be- intensive prefix + have; the sense is "to have or bear (oneself) in a particular way, comport" (cf. Ger. sich behaben, Fr. se porter). Cognate O.E. compound behabban meant "to contain," though the modern sense of behave could have
EXPAND
evolved from behabban via a notion of "self-restraint."
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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