Obs. [OE. behóflíc, f. behóf BEHOOF + -líc: see -LY1.] Of use; useful, profitable; needful, necessary. Const. to, orig. dat.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Mark xi. 3. [The ass] Drihtne behoflic is.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 4108. Alswilc als hem bi-hu[f]lik bee.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., Pref. 190. If it be a behouely þing at nede.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 312. Now it is bihovely thing to telle whiche ben dedly synnes.
1393. Gower, Conf., II. 186. All was behovely to the man.
