behalf (be HAF) n.on (or in) behalf of; in the interest of; speaking for;
representing
- Harriet spoke in behalfof the truth’s being known.
- The lawyer appeared on behalf of his client, Mr. Jones.
behavior(be HAYV yoer) n.1. how anybody acts; conduct; deportment; 2. any
organism’s reaction to stimulus—especially a recordable response; 3. noticeable
actions or responses of any person, animal, or machine - Nora’s behaviorseemed perfectly normal to Dennis.
- Juanita thought Ted’s behaviorto be rather strange when she saw him hit
his finger with a hammer and laugh. - Amy was disturbed by her car engine’s rough behavior.
being(BEE eeng) n.1. existing or living; life; existence; 2. basic or essential
nature; 3. someone or thing that is alive or exists; 4. all the qualities, physical and
mental, that make up a person; personality - Any living thing is in a state of being.
- Any plant or animal can be thought of as a being.
- Very few people acknowedge a fly as a being,but it is one.
- Most religions believe in the existence of a Higher Being.
belie(bee LY) vt.1. to disguise; misrepresent; 2. to disappoint or leave unful-
filled; 3. to prove false or show to be untrue - Al’s good-natured smile belieshis evil intentions.
- Sally hated to belieher customer by telling her the cake she had ordered
was not yet ready. - It is a debunker’s job to beliethe tricks of charlatans.
[-d, belying]
belief (bee LEEF) n.1. a conviction that some things are true or real; 2. faith,
especially in a religious sense; 3. confidence in; trust in; 4. something accepted as
true; 5. an opinion; an expectation; a judgment - Geoffrey’s beliefthat there is a tooth fairy is based on a chapter from his
book of bedtime stories. - Maribel’s beliefsare between her and her pastor—and are none of our
business. - Valerie had complete beliefin Harper’s honesty.
- It was her beliefthat Santa would show up later.
- Your accomplishments are totally beyond belief.
belligerent*(bel IDG oer ent) adj. 1. at war; 2. relating to war; of fighting; 3.
showing an eagerness to fight; spoiling for a fight - During World War I, the belligerentsengaged in four years of unmoving
trench warfare. - The belligerentadversaries duked it out in the ring.
- Veronica’s attitude was always belligerent,as if she were seeking to get into
an argument.
[belligerently adv.] [Syn. bellicose]
38 Essential Vocabulary