behalf

views updated Jun 11 2018

be·half / biˈhaf/ • n. PHRASES: on (also in) behalf of (or on someone's behalf) 1. in the interests of a person, group, or principle: votes cast by labor unions on behalf of their members.2. as a representative of: he had to attend the funeral on Mama's behalf.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

behalf

views updated May 18 2018

behalf XIV. orig. and mainly in phr. with genitive, as on God's, my, etc. behalf, replacing earlier on goddes, min, halve, etc. (in late OE. on mīnre healfe for my part); see BY, HALF.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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