Verb

(label) To conduct (oneself) well, or in a given way.

* Bible, ii. 21

those that behaved themselves manfully

(label) To act, conduct oneself in a specific manner;

*{{quote-magazine, date=2014-04-21, volume=411, issue=8884, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Subtle effects , passage=Manganism has been known about since the 19th century, when miners exposed to ores containing manganese, a silvery metal, began to totter, slur their speech and behave like someone inebriated.}}

To conduct, manage, regulate (something).

* (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)

He did behave his anger ere 'twas spent.

* 1590 , (Edmund Spenser), (The Faerie Queene) , II.iii:

who his limbs with labours, and his mind / Behaues with cares, cannot so easie mis.

(label) To act in a polite or proper way.

Verb

(behov)

To suit; to befit.

* 1803 , , Letter to Benjamin Rush April 21.

It behoves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others; or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.

* 1936 , , More Poems , II., lines 11-12:

No fire-faced prophet brought me word

Which way behoved me go.

* 2001 January 16, , in the House of Commons Hansard Debates for 16 Jan 2001 (pt 23),

It behoves the Government to take note of that.

* 2003 November 3, , “Resistance is the first step towards Iraqi independence”, ^] [[wikipedia:The Guardian, The Guardian] ,

Nor does it behove western commentators whose countries are occupying Iraq to lay down conditions for those opposing it.