behoof
[ bih-hoof ]
/ bɪˈhuf /
noun, plural be·hooves [bih-hoovz] /bɪˈhuvz/.
use; advantage; benefit: The money was spent for his own behoof.
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Origin of behoof
before 1000; Middle English behove, Old English behōf profit, need; cognate with Dutch behoef, German Behuf
behoove
[ bih-hoov ]
/ bɪˈhuv /
verb (used with object), be·hooved, be·hoov·ing.
to be necessary or proper for, as for moral or ethical considerations; be incumbent on: It behooves the court to weigh evidence impartially.
to be worthwhile to, as for personal profit or advantage: It would behoove you to be nicer to those who could help you.
verb (used without object), be·hooved, be·hoov·ing.
Archaic. to be needful, proper, or due: Perseverance is a quality that behooves in a scholar.
Origin of behoove
before 900; Middle English behoven, Old English behōfian to need (behōf behoof + -ian infinitive suffix)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for behooves
behoof
/ (bɪˈhuːf) /
noun plural -hooves
rare advantage or profit
Word Origin for behoof
Old English behōf; related to Middle High German behuof something useful; see behove
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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