Definition of: behavior

(bi·hāv′yər) noun
1. Manner of one's conduct; demeanor; deportment.
2. Manner or action of a machine, a chemical, substance, organ, organism, etc.
3. Psychol. The form of nervous, muscular, and emotional response of an individual to internal or external stimuli. Also Brit. be·hav′iour. Synonyms: action, bearing, breeding, carriage, conduct, demeanor, deportment, manner, manners. Behavior is our action in the presence of others; conduct is a more general term, usually having ethical reference. Demeanor is the bodily expression, not only of feelings, but of moral states; as, a devout demeanor. Breeding, unless with some adverse limitation, denotes that manner and conduct which result from good birth and training. Deportment is behavior as related to a set of rules; as, the pupil's deportment was faultless. A person's manner may be that of a moment, or toward a single person: his manners are his habitual behavior toward or before others, especially in matters of etiquette and politeness; as, good manners are always pleasing. Compare AIR.