con|duct

con|duct «noun. KON duhkt; verb. kuhn DUHKT», noun, verb.

–n.

1. way of acting; behavior: »

to win a medal for good conduct. Their conduct was rude and inexcusable.

2. direction; management; execution: »

Conduct of such a large office takes much planning.

3. leading; guidance.

4. Obsolete. an escort; guide.

–v.t.

1. to act in a certain way; behave: »

At home he is disorderly, but in company he conducts himself well.

2. to direct the course of; manage: »

Mr. Jones conducts the affairs of a big business.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under manage. (Cf. ↑manage)

3. to direct (an orchestra, or choir, or the performance of music) as leader: »

The overture was conducted by the composer himself.

4. to accompany and show the way to; guide; lead: »

Conduct me to your teacher. He conducted me through the museum.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under guide. (Cf. ↑guide)

5. to transmit, transfer, or convey (heat, electricity, sound, or other form of energy; be a channel for: »

Metal conducts heat and electricity. Those pipes conduct steam to the radiator upstairs.

–v.i.

1. to act as conductor, especially of an orchestra: »

The maestro conducted with his usual brilliance.

2. to transmit heat, electricity, etc.

3. to lead; be the way; pass.

4. Rare. to behave.

╂[< Latin conductus, past participle of condūcere; see etym. under conduce (Cf. ↑conduce). See etym. of doublet conduit. (Cf. ↑conduit)]

Synonym Study noun. 1 Conduct, behavior, deportment mean way of acting. Conduct applies to a person's way of acting in general and according to society's principles of right and wrong: »

Your conduct is always admirable.

Behavior applies to the way of acting before and toward others, especially in a specific situation: »

The students' behavior during the trip showed consideration for others.

Deportment implies a way of acting according to a conventional code: »

He was a model of deportment as a schoolboy.