different between behavior vs deportment

English

Alternative forms

• behaviour (British)
• behavoure, behavier, behavor, behavour (all obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English behavoure, behaver, equivalent to behave +? -ior, apparently in imitation of English havior, haviour, havour. Compare Scots havings (“behavior”), from have (“to behave”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /b??he?vj?/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /b??he?vj?/
• Rhymes: -e?vj?(?)
• Hyphenation: be?ha?vior

Noun

behavior (usually uncountable, plural behaviors) (American spelling)

1. (uncountable) Human conduct relative to social norms.
   • 2014, A teacher, "Choosing a primary school: a teacher's guide for parents", The Guardian, 23 September 2014:

     Teachers will probably be on their best behaviour for your visit – but don't be upset if they don't even notice you; they've got enough going on.

2. (uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
3. (uncountable, informal) A state of probation about one's conduct.

   He was on his best behavior when her family visited.

4. (countable) An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
5. (countable, uncountable, biology, psychology) Observable response produced by an organism.
6. (uncountable) The way a device or system operates.

Usage notes

• Adjectives often applied to "behavior": human, animal, physical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, organizational, corporate, social, collective, parental, interpersonal, sexual, criminal, appropriate, inappropriate, correct, incorrect, right, wrong, good, bad, acceptable, unacceptable, poor, ethical, unethical, moral, immoral, responsible, irresponsible, normal, odd, deviant, abnormal, violent, abusive, aggressive, offensive, defensive, rude, stupid, undesirable, verbal, nonverbal, learned, professional, unprofessional, adaptive, compulsive, questionable, assertive, disgusting, self-destructive.

Derived terms

Related terms

• behave

Translations

Further reading

• "behavior" in Raymond Williams, Keywords (revised), 1983, Fontana Press, page 43.
• behavior in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• behavior in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

English

Etymology

From French déportement.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??p??tm?nt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /d??p??t.m?nt/

Noun

deportment (plural deportments)

1. Bearing; manner of presenting oneself.

   Synonyms: bearing, comportment, posture
2. Conduct; public behavior.

   Synonyms: behavior, conduct

3. Apparent level of schooling or training.

4. Self-discipline.

See also

• comportment, behavior, accord, etiquette