deportment

English

Etymology

From Late Middle French deportement.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪˈpɔːtmənt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /dɪˈpɔɹt.mənt/

Noun

deportment (plural deportments)

1. Bearing; manner of presenting oneself.

   Synonyms: bearing, comportment, posture

   Her deportment impressed her interviewers.

   • 1922, James Joyce, chapter 13, in Ulysses:

     ...Edy asked what and she was just going to tell her to catch it while it was flying but she was ever ladylike in her deportment so she simply passed it off with consummate tact...

2. Conduct; public behavior.

   Synonyms: behavior, conduct

   Their deportment changed visibly as the policeman approached.

3. Apparent level of schooling or training.

   His academic deportment did not match his degree record.

4. Self-discipline.

   The nun's deportment reflected her vocation.

See also

• comportment, behavior, accord, etiquette