behoof

[ bih-hoof ]

noun

, plural be·hooves [bih-, hoovz].

1. use; advantage; benefit:

   The money was spent for his own behoof.

behoof

/ bɪˈhuːf /

noun

1. rare.
   advantage or profit

Word History and Origins

Origin of behoof¹

before 1000; Middle English behove, Old English behōf profit, need; cognate with Dutch behoef, German Behuf

Word History and Origins

Origin of behoof¹

Old English behōf ; related to Middle High German behuof something useful; see behove

Example Sentences

“Yes, young man,” said he, releasing the handle of the article in question, retiring a step or two from my table, and speaking for the behoof of the landlord and waiter at the door, “I will leave that teapot alone. You are right, young man. For once you are right. I forgit myself when I take such an interest in your breakfast, as to wish your frame, exhausted by the debilitating effects of prodigygality, to be stimilated by the ’olesome nourishment of your forefathers.

From Literature

If law may take place, your sister-in-law will be surely enough conveyed to his behoof, and then I should wish her to be brought up with some friend of mine; as for the present I allow best of Sir Christopher Heydon, if he will so much befriend you as to receive her to sojourn with him; if not there in some other place, as your friends shall best allow of.

From Project Gutenberg

No mean recompense it brings To your behoof.

From Project Gutenberg

In this idea, which reflection and comparison have educed, of a universal satisfaction, the impulses, so far as their particularity goes, are reduced to a mere negative; and it is held that in part they are to be sacrificed to each other for the behoof that aim, partly sacrificed to that aim directly, either altogether or in part.

From Project Gutenberg

If we recollect how intricate is the knowledge of the divine Mind for those who are not content with the homely pictures of faith but proceed to thought,—at first only “rationalising” reflection, but afterwards, as in duty bound, to speculative comprehension, it may almost create surprise that so many, and especially theologians whose vocation it is to deal with these Ideas, have tried to get off their task by gladly accepting anything offered them for this behoof.

From Project Gutenberg