Conduct | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Cŏn'duct, n.

noun

n. [O. Fr. conduite, N. Fr. conduite, Pr. conduct, m., Sp. conducta, It. condotta. See CONDUCE.]

Sense 1. The act or method of leading, guiding, managing, or commanding; guidance; management.

Conduct of armies is a prince's work. Waller.

Sense 2. Skillful guidance; generalship. “Attacked the Spaniards . . . with great impetuosity, but with so little conduct, that his forces were totally routed.” Robertson.

Sense 3. That which leads, guides, escorts, or brings safely; convoy; guard; guidance; warrant. “I will be your conduct.” B. Jonson.

In my conduct shall your ladies come. Shak.

Sense 4. That which carries or conveys any thing; a channel; a conduit. [Obs.]

God is the fountain of honor; and the conduct by which he conveys it to the sons of men are virtuous and generous practices. South.

Sense 5. The manner of guiding or carrying one's self; personal deportment; mode of action; behavior.

*What in the conduct of our life appears So well designed, so luckily begun, But when we have our wish, we wish undone? Dryden.*

Synonyms—Behavior; carriage; deportment; demeanor; management. See BEHAVIOR.

Con-duct', v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. CONDUCTED; p. pr. & vb. n. CONDUCTING.]

Sense 1. To lead, or guide; to introduce; to escort; to attend.

I can conduct you, lady, to a low But loyal cottage, where you may be safe. Milton.

Sense 2. To lead as a commander; to direct; to control.

Little skilled in the art of conducting a siege. Prescott.

Sense 3. To manage; to regulate; to carry; as, he conducts himself well.

Con-dûct', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To behave; to act; to conduct one's self.

☞ This word is in common use in some parts of the United States, but in England is not considered to be authorized by good usage.