behave

The definition of behave means to act in a certain manner to control yourself so your actions are acceptable and considered appropriate by society.

(verb)

An example of behave is when you do what you are told at school, using your indoor voice and following all directions.

See behave in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb behaved, behaving

Origin: see be- & have

See behave in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb be·haved, be·hav·ing, be·haves

verb, intransitive

a. To conduct oneself in a specified way: The child behaved badly at the party.
b. To conduct oneself in a proper way: I told the child to behave.
To act, react, function, or perform in a particular way: This fabric behaves well even in hot weather.

verb, transitive

To conduct (oneself) properly: Did you behave yourself at the party?
To conduct (oneself) in a specified way: The witness behaved herself with great calmness.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English behaven

Origin: : be-, be-

Origin: + haven, to have; see have

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