Behave
/bɪˈheɪv/noun
To conduct oneself in a specified way, especially toward others.
Did you know?The word 'behave' stems from the Old French 'behaivre', which originally meant to 'make a gesture'—suggesting that our actions are like spells we cast in life.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰei-
“to be strong, produce, or become.”
Latin
Latin
habere
“to have, hold, or possess.”
Old French
Old French
behaivre
“to act or make a gesture.”
Middle English
Middle English
behaven
“to conduct oneself; to behave.”
Modern English
English
behave
“to act in a manner conforming to accepted standards.”