behave English · revision 10554

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1410|origins=en be-|origins=en have}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɪˈheɪv/, /bəˈheɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[be-]], thoroughly, and [[have]] in the sense to have or bear oneself in a certain way,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) corresponding to German sich behaben and French se tenir.^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998) Old English behabban, to contain, is only coincidentally similar: there is no direct link with the 15th-century word.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Reflexive, to conduct oneself in a given way: about 1410,^(Barnhart 1988) about 1440 in the OED, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To manage or conduct something is from 1526,^(OED 1989) and of things, to act or work in a given way, from 1541.^(OED 1989) Without qualification, to behave well or with propriety (''behave yourself!''), is from 1691,^(OED 1989) and the intransitive use from 1719, which has now largely replaced the reflexive.^(OED 1989) ''Behaviour'' is from the 15th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1410 – to conduct oneself.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1526 – to manage (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1541 – of things, to act.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1691 – to behave oneself properly.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1719 – intransitive use.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To act or [[conduct]] oneself in a given way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To conduct oneself properly: ''behave yourself''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a thing, to act, work or react in a particular way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[behaver]]

+ * [[misbehave]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[behavior]]

+ * [[behaviour]]

+ * [[behaviorist]]

+ * [[behaviorism]]

+ * [[have]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}