Definition of behavior

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< behave

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be·hav·ior    (b-hvyr) KEY 

NOUN:

1. The manner in which one behaves.
2. 1. The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli.
   2. One of these actions or reactions: "a hormone . . . known to directly control sex-specific reproductive and parenting behaviors in a wide variety of vertebrates" (Thomas Maugh II).
3. The manner in which something functions or operates: the faulty behavior of a computer program; the behavior of dying stars.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English behavour, from behaven, to behave (on the model of havour, behavior, from Old French avoir, from avoir, to have) ; see behave

OTHER FORMS:
be·havior·al(Adjective), be·havior·al·ly(Adverb)

SYNONYMS:
behavior, conduct, deportment

These nouns all pertain to a person's actions as they constitute a means of evaluation by others. Behavior is the most general: The children were on their best behavior. Conduct applies to actions considered from the standpoint of morality and ethics: "Life, not the parson, teaches conduct" (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.). Deportment more narrowly pertains to actions measured by a prevailing code of social behavior: "[Old Mr. Turveydrop] was not like anything in the world but a model of Deportment" (Charles Dickens).