Webster
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Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Behave

Be·have′ (bē·hāv′), 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.

Be·have′, v. i. To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to behave well or ill.

☞ 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.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Noah Porter, editor (Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913). Public domain. Text as transcribed by MICRA, Inc., from Project Gutenberg. Changed for Deep Dive Bible: Greek, which our source spelled in Latin letters, set in Greek letters; entries of one spelling merged into one article.