Behaviour vs Scoff - What's the difference?
behaviour | scoff |
The way a living creature behaves or acts.
* 2014 , A teacher, "
The way a device or system operates.
Derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.
* Shakespeare
* 1852 , The Dublin University Magazine (page 66)
An object of scorn, mockery, or derision.
* Cowper
To jeer; laugh at with contempt and derision.
* Goldsmith
(British) To eat food quickly.
(South Africa) To eat.
As nouns the difference between behaviour and scoff
is that behaviour is the way a living creature behaves or acts while scoff is derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach or scoff can be (south africa) food.As a verb scoff is
to jeer; laugh at with contempt and derision or scoff can be (british) to eat food quickly.behaviour
English
Alternative forms
* (US) * (obsolete)Noun
(en noun)- She can't stop the strange behaviour because she has OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Choosing a primary school: a teacher's guide for parents", The Guardian , 23 September 2014:
- Teachers will probably be on their best behaviour for your visit – but don't be upset if they don't even notice you; they've got enough going on.
Usage notes
* Adjectives often applied to "behaviour" include: human, animal, physical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, organizational, corporate, social, collective, parental, interpersonal, sexual, criminal, appropriate, inappropriate, correct, incorrect, right, wrong, good, bad, acceptable, unacceptable, poor, ethical, unethical, moral, immoral, responsible, irresponsible, normal, odd, deviant, abnormal, violent, abusive, aggressive, offensive, defensive, rude, stupid, undesirable, verbal, nonverbal, learned, professional, unprofessional, adaptive, compulsive, questionable, assertive, disgusting, self-destructive.Derived terms
* human behaviourscoff
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) scof/skof, of Scandinavian origin. Compare (etyl) skaup, Danish skuffelse(noun)/skuffe(verb) and Old High German scoph.Noun
(en noun)- With scoffs , and scorns, and contumelious taunts.
- There were sneers, and scoffs , and inuendoes of some; prophecies of failure in a hundred ways
- The scoff of withered age and beardless youth.
Synonyms
* derision, ridicule * See alsoVerb
- Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, / And fools who came to scoff , remained to pray.
