comportment

American  

[kuhm-pawrt-muhnt, -pohrt-] / kəmˈpɔrt mənt, -ˈpoʊrt- /

noun

1. personal bearing or conduct; demeanor; behavior.

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comportment British  

/ kəmˈpɔːtmənt /

noun

1. conduct; bearing

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Related Words

See behavior.

Etymology

Origin of comportment

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French comportement; see comport ¹, -ment

Explanation

Your comportment is the way you act, especially when you behave well. You might compliment a patient little boy on his comportment as he waits in line for a turn on the swings. You can use the noun comportment to describe both the way a person behaves and also the way he carries himself — his general manner. A queen's comportment is usually regal, a bit stiff, and dignified. The comportment of a bunch of little kids at an amusement park is very different. The Middle French root is comportement, "bearing or behavior," from the Latin comportare, "to bring together or collect."

Example Sentences

And remember: Comportment is permitted to be looser here than at other conventions, but keep in mind that what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas in the era of digital cameras and Facebook.

From BusinessWeek • Jan. 11, 2012

So dangerous it is for Princes, by a Remisse Comportment, to give growth to the least Error; for it often proves as fruitful as Malice can make it.

From Characters from 17th Century Histories and Chronicles by Various

Observe 56 further her Comportment, if friendly to her Chickens, and revengeful of Injuries from other Hens.

From The School of Recreation (1684 edition) Or, The Gentlemans Tutor, to those Most Ingenious Exercises of Hunting, Racing, Hawking, Riding, Cock-fighting, Fowling, Fishing by Howlett, Robert

Observe further her Comportment, if Friendly to her Chickens, and revengeful of Injuries from other Hens.

From The School of Recreation (1696 edition) Or a Guide to the Most Ingenious Exercises of Hunting, Riding, Racing, Fireworks, Military Discipline, The Science of Defence by Howlett, Robert