behavior English · revision 3948

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1425|origins=en behave}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɪˈheɪ.vjə/ ''(UK)''; /bɪˈheɪ.vjəɹ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|behaver]], later behavour,^(Barnhart 1988) essentially from [[behave]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) but with the ending of Middle English havour “possession, bearing”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) an alteration under the influence of [[have]] of aver, a noun use of Old French aveir “to have”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from Latin habēre.^(Barnhart 1988) The Concise Oxford adds the pattern of [[demeanour]].^(COED 2004)^(NODE 1998) The spelling with i appeared in 1538, influenced by havior.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Manner of behaving, good or bad; conduct, manners: before 1425 in Barnhart, in a translation of Higden's Polychronicon;^(Barnhart 1988) the late 15th century in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and 1490 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Conduct towards others” is from 1515,^(OED 1989) and ''to be on one's good behaviour'' from 1538.^(OED 1989) From the 1670s it was used of the way a thing acts under given conditions, as of a substance or machine.^(OED 1989) In psychology it is the actions and reactions of an organism to stimuli,^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) and ''behaviour pattern'' is from 1921.^(OED 1989) ''Behaviorism'' was coined in 1913 by John B. Watson.^(Barnhart 1988) Johnson's definitions include “external appearance” and “gesture; manner of action”.^(Johnson 1755)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – manner of behaving.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1515 – conduct towards others.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1538 – the spelling with i, and ''on one's good behaviour''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1674 – of things.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1913 – ''behaviorism''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1921 – ''behaviour pattern''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The manner in which one behaves; [[conduct]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The actions or reactions of persons, animals or things in response to stimuli.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The way a machine, substance or system functions.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[behavioral]]

+ * [[behaviorally]]

+ * [[behaviorism]]

+ * [[behaviorist]]

+ * [[misbehavior]]

+ * [[behavior pattern]]

+ * [[behavioral science]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[behave]]

+ * [[have]]

+ * [[behaviour]]

+ * [[demeanor]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Behavior is the American spelling and behaviour the British one.^(SOED 2002) The American Heritage distinguishes behavior, the most general term, from conduct and deportment.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}