beˈhoveful, -ˈhooveful, a. arch.
Forms: 4–5 behof-, 5 byhoof-, behoe-, behowe-, behuf-, 5–6 beho-, 5–7 behofe-, 5 behoue-, 6–7 behov-, behoof-, behoofe-, behooue-, 7 behoov-, 6–9 behoove-, 5– behoveful.
[f. behoof n. + -ful. (Extremely common from 1400 to 1700; but used since only by archaists.)]
Useful, of use; advantageous, expedient; needful, necessary, due.
| 1382 Wyclif Ps. cxliv. 15 Thou ȝyuest the mete of hem in the behofful time. [1388 in couenable tyme]. 1432 Paston Lett. 18. I. 32 Not behovefull nor expedient to be aboute the king. 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. 145 It is not behoeful to put hym so to deth. 1533 More Answ. Poyson. Bk. Wks. 1124/2 How necessary..for mans redempcion, that is to witte so behofull therto, that without it we shoulde not haue bene saued. 1570 Dee Math. Pref. 40 It is behofefull for an Architect to haue the Knowledge of Painting. 1589 Marprel. Epit. 40 Behooful to the honor of god, and the good of common welth. a 1674 Clarendon Surv. Leviath. (1676) 159 His friendship was the more behoovfull and necessary to the King. 1736 in Arb. Garner II. 528 [They] thought it more behoveful for themselves and their Religion. 1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. V. xiii. i. 8 For a Nation, as for a man, it is very behoveful to be honest. |