To behave.
1754. I say not only doing but conducting.—Jonathan Edwards, ‘Freedom of the Will,’ v. 27 n. (N.E.D.)
1772. Is not He, who conducts thus, a Friend of Order?—Boston-Gazette, Aug. 24.
1798. Mary my wife has conducted, and does conduct, in such a manner that I am obliged to break up Housekeeping.—Advt., Mass. Spy, April 25.
1814. [The New Englanders] use the word conduct as a neuter verb; the substantive progress as a verb; and stop short at the sign of the infinitive mood, as, she can sing if she chooses to; i. e. to sing.—Henry C. Knight (‘Arthur Singleton’), ‘Letters from the South and West,’ p. 29 (Boston, 1824).
