Be*hoove" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Behooved (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Behooving.] [OE. bihoven, behoven, AS. beh&?;fian to have need of, fr. beh&?;f. See Behoof.] To be necessary for; to be fit for; to be meet for, with respect to necessity, duty, or convenience; -- mostly used impersonally.

And thus it behooved Christ to suffer.
Luke xxiv. 46.

[Also written behove.]

Be*hoove" (&?;), v. i. To be necessary, fit, or suitable; to befit; to belong as due. Chaucer.

Be*hoove", n. Advantage; behoof. [Obs.]

It shall not be to his behoove.
Gower.

• variant spelling of behove