Comport

Comport is a verb meaning to conduct oneself or to carry oneself in a particular manner. In everyday usage, one may say that a person comported themselves with dignity or composure. The phrase comport with is also used to express alignment with a standard or expectation, as in laws or policies that comports with constitutional rights. In both senses, the emphasis is on behavior or compatibility with rules or norms.

Etymology and notes: The word derives from Old French comporter (to carry together), ultimately from Latin com- (together) and portare (to carry). It entered English in the early modern period. The reflexive form, comport oneself, is common in formal or literary writing, while the transitive form comports with is often found in legal, regulatory, or policy language. The noun form is comportment, meaning demeanor or bearing.

Other uses: Comport may appear as a proper noun in names of people, places, or organizations, though such uses are not part of the general meaning. Some readers may confuse it with the computing term COM port (a serial communication port); the two are unrelated, one being linguistic and the other technical terminology.