a. arch. Forms: 4–5 behof-, 5 byhoof-, behoe-, behowe-, behuf-, 5–6 beho-, 5–7 behofe-, 5 behoue-, 6–7 behov-, behoof-, behoofe-, behooue-, 7 behoov-, 6–9 behoove-, 5– behoveful. [f. BEHOOF sb. + -FUL. (Extremely common from 1400 to 1700; but used since only by archaists.)] Useful, of use; advantageous, expedient; needful, necessary, due.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. cxliv. 15. Thou ȝyuest the mete of hem in the behofful time [1388 in couenable tyme].
1432. Paston Lett., 18, I. 32. Not behovefull nor expedient to be aboute the king.
1485. Caxton, Chas. Gt., 145. It is not behoeful to put hym so to deth.
1533. More, Answ. Poyson. Bk., Wks. 1124/2. How necessary … for mans redempcion, that is to witte so behofull therto, that without it we shoulde not haue bene saued.
1570. Dee, Math. Pref., 40. It is behofefull for an Architect to haue the Knowledge of Painting.
1589. Marprel. Epit., 40. Behooful to the honor of god, and the good of the common welth.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Surv. Leviath. (1676), 159. His friendship was the more behoovfull and necessary to the King.
1736. in Arb., Garner, II. 528. [They] thought it more behoveful for themselves and their Religion.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., V. XIII. i. 8. For a Nation, as for a man, it is very behoveful to be honest.
