behove
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also behøve
Contents |
English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Old English behof (see more at behoof). Cognate with Swedish behöv.
Pronunciation [edit]
Verb [edit]
behove (third-person singular simple present behoves, present participle behoving, simple past and past participle behoved)
- To suit; to befit.
- 1803, Thomas Jefferson, 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, Alfred Edward Housman, More Poems, II., lines 11-12:
- No fire-faced prophet brought me word
- Which way behoved me go.
- 2001 January 16, Sir Raymond Whitney, in the House of Commons Hansard Debates for 16 Jan 2001 (pt 23),[1]
- It behoves the Government to take note of that.
- 2003 November 3, Tariq Ali, “Resistance is the first step towards Iraqi independence”,[2] The Guardian,
- Nor does it behove western commentators whose countries are occupying Iraq to lay down conditions for those opposing it.
- 1803, Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Benjamin Rush April 21.
