From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Behave \Be*have"\, verb (used with an object) [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.]
He did behave his anger ere 't was spent. --Shak.
2. To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; -- used reflexively.
Those that behaved themselves manfully. --2 Macc. ii. 21.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Behave \Be*have"\, verb (used without an object) To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to behave well or ill.
Note: This verb is often used colloquially without an adverb of manner; as, if he does not behave, he will be punished. It is also often applied to inanimate objects; as, the ship behaved splendidly.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
verb
1: behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; "You should act like an adult"; "Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people" [syn: {act}, {do}]
2: behave in a certain manner; "She carried herself well"; "he bore himself with dignity"; "They conducted themselves well during these difficult times" [syn: {acquit}, {bear}, {deport}, {conduct}, {comport}, {carry}]
3: behave well or properly; "The children must learn to behave" [syn: {comport}] [ant: {misbehave}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
44 Moby Thesaurus words for "behave": acquit, act, act toward, act well, be good, be nice, bear, behave toward, carry, comport, conduct, control, cope with, deal by, deal with, demean, deport, direct, disport, do, do by, do right, function, go on, handle, make, make as if, manage, misbehave, move, operate, perform, play, play the game, practice, proceed, quit, react, respond to, serve, take, treat, use, work
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Let's see what we can do if we put our heads together.
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