behave
Meaning
to act or function in a particular way
to conduct oneself in a proper or acceptable manner
Structure
Usage
the children behaved very well at the party.
how did the new software behave under pressure?
he promised to behave himself in the future.
Etymology
the word behave is a combination of the old english intensive prefix be- and the verb have. the original sense, now obsolete, was 'to have or hold (oneself) in a particular way'. this evolved into the modern meaning of conducting or comporting oneself. the prefix be- adds a sense of completeness or thoroughness to the action, transforming the core idea of 'holding' into one of 'managing or restraining oneself'. thus, the literal notion of 'thoroughly holding oneself' developed into the abstract concepts of acting, functioning, and demonstrating proper conduct.
Analysis
be- (from old english 'be-', a prefix meaning 'about, around, thoroughly'); have (from old english 'habban', meaning 'to hold, possess')