behavior
Plural: behaviors
Noun
- The way in which one acts or conducts oneself.
- manner of acting or controlling yourself
- the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
- "the behavior of small particles can be studied in experiments"
- (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
- (psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation
- Human conduct relative to social norms.
- The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
- A state of probation about one's conduct.
- Observable response produced by an organism.
- The way a device or system operates.
Examples
- He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
- His erratic tile-placing behavior was a clear tell he had a bingo.
Origin / Etymology
From Middle English behavoure, behaver, from behaven (modern behave), with the ending apparently in imitation of havour (see 'havior), a corruption of Old French aveir and/or avoir (“a having”), ultimately from Latin habēre. Compare Scots havings (“behavior”), from have (“to behave”). Replaced Old English ġebǣru.
Synonyms
behaviour, conduct, demeanor, demeanour, deportment, doings, comportment
Scrabble Score: 16
behavior: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordbehavior: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
behavior: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary