See Also: behove(dictionary)
behove(dictionary)

behove (iou)



behove verb. .
[Old English behofian = Old Frisian bihovia, Middle Low German behoven, Middle Dutch behoeven, from BEHOOF.]
verb trans. Have need of, require. OE-M17.
verb trans. & intrans. Be physically of use or needful (to). OE-M17.
verb trans. Be morally required of (a person), be incumbent upon; befit. Now usu. impers. in behoves to do, (usu.) it behoves to do, etc. OE.
verb intrans. Be proper or due, be suited. Now usu. impers. in (it) behoves etc. (Foll. by to; impers. to do, that.) arch. OE.
verb intrans. (with pers. subj.) Be under obligation to do. Long obsolete exc. Scot. LME.
behovely adjective (long rare) = BEHOVEFUL OE.