Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
byhove. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
byhove, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
byhove in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
byhove you have here. The definition of the word
byhove will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
byhove, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English behoven, from Old English behōfian (“to need”), from behōf (“advantage, behoof, profit; need”). Cognate with Swedish behöva and Dutch behoeven.
Pronunciation
Verb
byhove (third-person singular simple present byhoves, present participle byhoving, simple past and past participle byhoved)
- To suit; to befit.
- 1803, Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Benjamin Rush April 21.
- It behoves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others; or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.
- 1936, Alfred Edward Housman, More Poems, II., lines 11-12:
- No fire-faced prophet brought me word
- Which way behoved me go.
- 2001 January 16, Sir Raymond Whitney, in the House of Commons Hansard Debates for 16 Jan 2001 (pt 23),
- It behoves the Government to take note of that.
- 2003 November 3, Tariq Ali, “Resistance is the first step towards Iraqi independence”, The Guardian,
- Nor does it behove western commentators whose countries are occupying Iraq to lay down conditions for those opposing it.
Translations
Middle English
Noun
byhove (uncountable)
- Alternative form of behove