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Added 7 October 2026

behave

/bᵻˈheɪv/ verb

In Latin: ago Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about behave at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To conduct (oneself) well, or in a given way; to conform.
You need to behave yourself, young lady.
To act, conduct oneself in a specific manner; used with an adverbial of manner.
He behaves like a child whenever she's around.
To conduct, manage, regulate (something).

Origin

From Middle English behaven, bihabben (“to restrain, behave”), from Old English behabban (“to surround, embrace, hold, contain, hold back, withhold, restrain”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihabbjan, equivalent to be- + have. Cognate with Middle Low German behebben, behāven (“to receive, acquire, reach, keep”), Low German behebben (“to act, behave”), German behaben (“to behave”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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