The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Behave \Be*have"\, v. i.
   To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to
   behave well or ill.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: This verb is often used colloquially without an adverb
         of manner; as, if he does not behave, he will be
         punished. It is also often applied to inanimate
         objects; as, the ship behaved splendidly.
         [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Behave \Be*have"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Behaved; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Behaving.] [AS. behabban to surround, restrain, detain
   (akin to G. gehaben (obs.) to have, sich gehaben to behave or
   carry one's self); pref. be- + habban to have. See Have, v.
   t. ]
   1. To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline;
      to handle; to restrain. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            He did behave his anger ere 't was spent. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; --
      used reflexively.
      [1913 Webster]

            Those that behaved themselves manfully. --2 Macc.
                                                  ii. 21.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

behave
    v 1: behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior;
         conduct or comport oneself; "You should act like an adult";
         "Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this way?";
         "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people"
         [syn: act, behave, do]
    2: behave in a certain manner; "She carried herself well"; "he
       bore himself with dignity"; "They conducted themselves well
       during these difficult times" [syn: behave, acquit,
       bear, deport, conduct, comport, carry]
    3: behave well or properly; "The children must learn to behave"
       [syn: behave, comport] [ant: misbehave, misconduct,
       misdemean]