Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BE-HALF', n. [behàf; This word is probably a corruption. If composed of be and half, it is a word of modern origin; but I take it to be the Sax. behefe, profit, need, or convenience; G. behuf; D. behoef; necessaries, business; behoeve, behalf; Sw. behof; Dan. behov, need, necessity, sufficiency, or what is required, sustenance or support; from the verb behoove, behofwa, behöver, to need. The spelling is therefore corrupt; it should be behof or behoof. See Behoof.]

1. Favor; advantage; convenience; profit; support; defense; vindication: as, the advocate pleads in behalf of the prisoner; the patriot suffers in behalf of his country.
2. Part; side; noting substitution, or the act of taking the part of another; as, the agent appeared in behalf of his constituents, and entered a claim.