3 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Behave \Be*have"\, v. i.
To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to
behave well or ill.
Note: This verb is often used colloquially without an adverb
of manner; as, if he does not behave, he will be
punished. It is also often applied to inanimate
objects; as, the ship behaved splendidly.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Behave \Be*have"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Behaved}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Behaving}.] [AS. behabban to surround, restrain, detain
(akin to G. gehaben (obs.) to have, sich gehaben to behave or
carry one's self); pref. be- + habban to have. See {Have}, v.
t. ]
1. To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline;
to handle; to restrain. [Obs.]
He did behave his anger ere 't was spent. --Shak.
2. To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; --
used reflexively.
Those that behaved themselves manfully. --2 Macc.
ii. 21.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
behave
v 1: behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct
or comport oneself; "You should act like an adult";
"Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this
way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid
of people" [syn: {act}, {do}]
2: behave in a certain manner; "She carried herself well"; "he
bore himself with dignity"; "They conducted themselves
well during these difficult times" [syn: {acquit}, {bear},
{deport}, {conduct}, {comport}, {carry}]
3: behave well or properly; "The children must learn to behave"
[syn: {comport}] [ant: {misbehave}]