behalf

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as rather than )
  2. noun for someone's benefit (usually expressed as `in behalf' rather than `on behalf' and usually with a possessive)

Etymology

From Middle English bihalve (“nearby”), from Old English bī healfe (“by [his/her] side”), from bī (“by”) + healfe (“side, half”), equivalent to be- + half.

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