/behalf/definition

behalf

-) Noun.

-) Plural: behalves (obsolete).

-) Pronunciation and accent: bɪhɑːf. 

-) Etymology: from Middle English, from be (= by) + HALF (= side).

-) Definition: side; part, interest, defense, respect; -used only in prepositional phrases: 

-) 1. On behalf of: a. Obsolete and pristine value: on the side of. b. On the part of (another); as the agent of; for; instead of. (Implying that the action is done in name of some other person or persons). c. With regard or respect to (someone or something); as concerns.

 His wife disputed him on behalf of her sex, as women always do. 

"No, Dolly," he persisted; "she'd better be home milking the cows and leading the horse to water."

William Howells… The March Family

He says if he was boss of this town he would seize the roads on behalf of the people.

William Howells… The March Family

My pocketbook is empty and needs filling and, when that's done, I'll get back to my school children, on whose behalf I am out hunting.

Ridgwell Cullum… The Trail of the Axe

-) Construed with a possessive adjective:

[…] it must be acknowledged on her behalf that she did enjoy that protection…

Anthony Trollope… The Last Chronicle of Barset

… she shall never lack a friend, ready to act on her behalf, while I am in the country.

Ridgwell Cullum… The Night Riders

-) Construed with a possessive case:

[…] always watchful on the child's behalf.

Charles Dickens… Household Words

-) 2. In behalf of: a. Obsolete: in the name of. b. In the interest, or support of; for the benefit of; for; as a defender of.

 Ellen expressed the deepest gratitude to her friend for the kind interest thus manifested in behalf of herself and her husband.

George Reynolds… The mysteries of London

Miss Bellenden alone ventured to say any thing in behalf of the accused, but her countenance did not profit them as it might have done on any other occasion.

Walter Scott… Old Mortality

[…] while Phineas Banning, at his own expense, made trips to Washington in behalf of the project.

Harris Newmark… Sixty Years in Southern California

She had interfered in behalf of Oliver.  

Charles Dickens… Oliver Twist

The crowd accordingly drew aside, and the individual, in whose behalf the movement had been made immediately stepped forward.

William Ainsworth… Jack Sheppard

-) Construed with a possessive adjective:

Much sympathy was now exercised in my behalf — and as no one in the city appeared to identify my body, it was ordered that I should be interred in the public sepulchre early in the following morning.

Edgar Poe

-) Construed with a possessive case:

She has exerted herself so warmly in the child's behalf from the first, […] that it would really be agreeable to me to notice her.

Charles Dickens… Dombey and son

-) 3. In this behalf or in that behalf: (archaic) in respect of, in regard to, in reference to this or that.  

By comparing dates, I ascertained that he would be in time to meet the mortgage sale, and felt no further concern in that behalf.

James Cooper… Miles Wallingford

I may yet do some good in this behalf before I die. I must marry soon, if ever.

William Simms… Katharine Walton