Hypertext Webster Gateway: "behalf"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Behalf \Be*half"\, n. [OE. on-behalve in the name of, bihalven
by the side of, fr. AS. healf half, also side, part: akin to
G. halb half, halber on account of. See {Be-}, and {Half},
n.]
Advantage; favor; stead; benefit; interest; profit; support;
defense; vindication.
In behalf of his mistress's beauty. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Against whom he had contracted some prejudice in behalf
of his nation. --Clarendon.
{In behalf of}, in the interest of.
{On behalf of}, on account of; on the part of.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
behalf
n 1: as the agent of or on someone's part; usually expressed as
"on behalf of" rather than "in behalf of": "the guardian
signed the contract on behalf of the minor child"; "this
letter is written on behalf of my client"
2: for someone's benefit (usually expressed as "in behalf"
rather than "on behalf" and usually with a possessive):
"in your behalf"; "campaigning in his own behalf"; "spoke
a good word in his friend's behalf"
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