from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Behave \Be*have"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Behaved}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Behaving}.] [AS. behabban to surround, restrain, detain
(akin to G. gehaben (obs.) to have, sich gehaben to behave or
carry one's self); pref. be- + habban to have. See {Have}, v.
t. ]
1. To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline;
to handle; to restrain. [Obs.]
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He did behave his anger ere 't was spent. --Shak.
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2. To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; --
used reflexively.
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Those that behaved themselves manfully. --2 Macc.
ii. 21.
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