behalf

behalf
noun Etymology: Middle English, from by + half half, side Date: 14th century interest, benefit; also support, defense <
argued in his behalf
>
Usage: A body of opinion favors in with the “interest, benefit” sense of behalf and on with the “support, defense” sense. This distinction has been observed by some writers but overall has never had a sound basis in actual usage. In current British use, on behalf (of) has replaced in behalf (of); both are still used in American English, but the distinction is frequently not observed.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Behalf — Be*half , n. [OE. on behalve in the name of, bihalven by the side of, fr. AS. healf half, also side, part: akin to G. halb half, halber on account of. See {Be }, and {Half}, n.] Advantage; favor; stead; benefit; interest; profit; support;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • behalf — is now used in BrE only in the phrase on behalf of (AmE in behalf of), which means (1) ‘in the interests of’, and (2) ‘as a representative of’ • (He used to make payments and pick up money on behalf of Mafia mobsters Times, 1982). It should not… …   Modern English usage

  • behalf — [bē haf′, bēhäf′; bihaf′, bihäf′] n. [ME, in phrase on (mi) behalfe, on (my) side < OE be, BY + healf, HALF, side] support, interest, side, etc. [I speak in his behalf] in behalf of or on behalf of in the interest of; for on behalf of speaking …   English World dictionary

  • behalf — ► NOUN (in phrase on (US also in) behalf of or on someone s behalf) 1) in the interests of a person, group, or principle. 2) as a representative of. ORIGIN from a mixture of the earlier phrases on his halve and bihalve him, both meaning «on his… …   English terms dictionary

  • behalf of — behalf of, or ● behalf …   Useful english dictionary

  • behalf — noun account, advantage, advocacy, aid, aidance, assistance, auspices, avail, behoof, benefaction, benefit, benevolence, betterment, boon, contribution, countenance, defense, endowment, expedience, favor, furtherance, gift, good, help,… …   Law dictionary

  • behalf — c.1300, behalve (with dative suffix), from O.E. (him) be healfe by (his) side, and on (his) healfe on (his) side, from healfe side (see HALF (Cf. half)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • behalf — [n] personal interest account, advantage, aid, assistance, benefit, cause, concern, countenance, defense, encouragement, favor, furtherance, good, help, part, place, profit, recommendation, representation, sake, service, side, stead, support,… …   New thesaurus

  • behalf — 01. I would like to thank you on [behalf] of myself and my colleagues. 02. Dong Mi presented a gift to the secretary on [behalf] of the office staff. 03. I can t go to the farewell dinner tomorrow, so could you say good bye to Wynona on my… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • behalf — /bəˈhaf / (say buh hahf), /bi / (say bee ) phrase 1. on someone s behalf, Also, US, in someone s behalf. in someone s interest; in aid of someone: to increase one s efforts on someone s behalf. 2. on behalf of, Also, US, in behalf of. a. as a… …  

  • behalf — n. in (AE), on smb. s behalf USAGE NOTE: Some purists maintain that in AE in smb. s behalf means for smb. s benefit , whereas on smb. s behalf means as smb. s representative . * * * [bɪ hɑːf] on smb. s behalf (USAGE NOTE: Some purists maintain… …   Combinatory dictionary

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