behalf
UK /bɪˈhɑːf/ · US /bɪˈhæf/ noun
Forms behalves behalfs
- noun The interest, benefit, or wellbeing of someone or something. “She appeared on behalf of the U.N. Secretary General at a conference held in behalf of the world's children.”
- noun (when adopted by someone else) One's role or rightful place; stead or authority.
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.
Webster’s 1913
Etymology [OE. on-behalve in the name of, bihalven by the side of, fr. AS. healf half, also side, part: akin to G. halb half, halber on account of. See Be-, and Half, n.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “behalf”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details