behavior

Meaning

Noun

• Human conduct relative to social norms.
• The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
• A state of probation about one's conduct.
• An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
• Observable response produced by an organism.
• The way a device or system operates.

Origin

• From Middle English behavoure, behaver, equivalent to behave, apparently in imitation of English havior, haviour, havour. Compare Scots havings ("behavior"), from have.