Conduct

Con′duct (kŏn′dŭkt), n. [LL. conductus defense, escort, fr. L. conductus, p. p. of conducere. See Conduce, and cf. Conduit.] 1. The act or method of conducting; guidance; management.

Christianity has humanized the conduct of war. Paley.

The conduct of the state, the administration of its affairs. Ld. Brougham.

2. Skillful guidance or management; generalship.

Conduct of armies is a prince's art. Waller.

Attacked the Spaniards . . . with great impetuosity, but with so little conduct, that his forces were totally routed. Robertson.

3. Convoy; escort; guard; guide. [Archaic]

I will be your conduct. B. Jonson.

In my conduct shall your ladies come. Shak.

4. That which carries or conveys anything; a channel; a conduit; an instrument. [Obs.]

Although thou hast been conduct of my shame. Shak.

5. The manner of guiding or carrying one's self; personal deportment; mode of action; behavior.

All these difficulties were increased by the conduct of Shrewsbury. Macaulay.

What in the conduct of our life appears So well designed, so luckily begun, But when we have our wish, we wish undone? Dryden.

6. Plot; action; construction; manner of development.

The book of Job, in conduct and diction. Macaulay.

Conduct money (Naut.), a portion of a seaman's wages retained till the end of his engagement, and paid over only if his conduct has been satisfactory.

Syn. — Behavior; carriage; deportment; demeanor; bearing; management; guidance. See Behavior.

Con·duct′ (kŏn·dŭkt′), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Conducted; p. pr. & vb. n. Conducting.] [See Conduct, n.] 1. To lead, or guide; to escort; to attend.

I can conduct you, lady, to a low But loyal cottage, where you may be safe. Milton.

2. To lead, as a commander; to direct; to manage; to carry on; as, to conduct the affairs of a kingdom.

Little skilled in the art of conducting a siege. Prescott.

3. To behave; — with the reflexive; as, he conducted himself well.

4. (Physics) To serve as a medium for conveying; to transmit, as heat, light, electricity, etc.

5. (Mus.) To direct, as the leader in the performance of a musical composition.

Con·duct′, v. i. 1. To act as a conductor (as of heat, electricity, etc.); to carry.

2. To conduct one's self; to behave. [U. S.]