behave

Pronunciation

• IPA: /bɪˈheɪv/, /bəˈheɪv/^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from be-, thoroughly, and have in the sense to have or bear oneself in a certain way,^[2][3][4][5] corresponding to German sich behaben and French se tenir.^[5][6] Old English behabban, to contain, is only coincidentally similar: there is no direct link with the 15th-century word.^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Reflexive, to conduct oneself in a given way: about 1410,^[2] about 1440 in the OED, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^[7][3]

Semantic evolution

To manage or conduct something is from 1526,^[7] and of things, to act or work in a given way, from 1541.^[7] Without qualification, to behave well or with propriety (behave yourself!), is from 1691,^[7] and the intransitive use from 1719, which has now largely replaced the reflexive.^[7] Behaviour is from the 15th century.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 1410 – to conduct oneself.^[2]
• 1526 – to manage (obsolete).^[7]
• 1541 – of things, to act.^[7]
• 1691 – to behave oneself properly.^[7]
• 1719 – intransitive use.^[7]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To act or conduct oneself in a given way.
2. To conduct oneself properly: behave yourself.
3. Of a thing, to act, work or react in a particular way.

Word family

• behaver
• misbehave

Related words

• behavior
• behaviour
• behaviorist
• behaviorism
• have

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b Cresswell, Julia (2021), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press