German edit

Etymology edit

Genitive of Behuf (purpose).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /bəˈhuːfs/
  • (file)

Preposition edit

behufs

  1. (archaic, genitive) in order to
    Synonym: zwecks
    • 1918, Heinrich Mann, Der Untertan[1], Leipzig: Kurt Wolff Verlag, page 209; republished as Ernest Boyd, transl., The Patrioteer, 1921:
      Frau Heßling griff ein. „Nicht wahr? Woher soll denn sonst ein junger Mann den Mut nehmen –? Meine Töchter schneidern alles selbst.“ Dies war für Herrn Kienast das Stichwort, sich über Magdas Bluse zu beugen behufs eingehender Würdigung.
      Frau Hessling intervened. "Isn't that so? How otherwise would a young man have the courage to—? My daughters make all their own clothes." Herr Kienast took this as his cue to bend over Magda's blouse on the pretext of making a detailed examination.

Further reading edit