behavior |biˈhāvyər| ( Brit. behaviour)
noun
the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, esp. toward others : good behavior | his insulting behavior toward me.
• the way in which an animal or person acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus : the feeding behavior of predators.
• the way in which a natural phenomenon or a machine works or functions : the erratic behavior of the old car.
PHRASES
be on one’s best behavior behave well when being observed : warn them to be on their best behavior.
ORIGIN late Middle English : from behave , on the pattern of demeanour (an earlier spelling of demeanor ), and influenced by obsolete haviour from have.