behavior
|be/hav/ior|
🇺🇸
/bɪˈheɪvjər/
🇬🇧
/bɪˈheɪvjə/
way of acting
Etymology
'behavior' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'behaviour', where 'be-' meant 'thoroughly' and 'have' meant 'to hold or possess'.
'behaviour' changed from the Old French word 'behaveour' and eventually became the modern English word 'behavior'.
Initially, it meant 'to hold oneself in a certain way', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the way one acts'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others.
His behavior at the party was exemplary.
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Antonyms
Noun 2
the way in which a machine or natural phenomenon works or functions.
The behavior of the stock market is unpredictable.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35