▪ I. † biˈheve, a. Obs.
Forms: 1 behoefe, behefe, 3 biheue.
[OE. behéfe, earlier bihóefe:—*bihofio-, adj. f. *bihóf- behoof, meaning ‘of behoof, of use.’]
Profitable, useful, needful.
| c 975 Rushw. Gosp. Mark xi. 3 Cweoðas ðætte drihtne bihoefe [Lindisf. behoflic] vel ned-ðarf is. c 1000 Ags. G. Luke xiv. 28 Þa and-fengas þe him behefe synt. a 1225 Juliana 46 Nis nawt þe biheve. |
▪ II. † biˈheve, n. Obs.
Forms: 1 behéfe, 3 biheue.
[subst. use of prec. adj.]
Behoof; advantage.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 96 Vor moni vuel ich iseo þerinne, & none biheue. c 1320 Cast. Love 1425 Ac heore doute was vre bi-heue. c 1320 Assump. Virg. 676 He wist he was to godes biheue. |