Act

[ækt]

Definition

(noun.) something that people do or cause to happen.

(noun.) a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body.

(noun.) a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program; 'he did his act three times every evening'; 'she had a catchy little routine'; 'it was one of the best numbers he ever did'.

(noun.) a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet.

(noun.) a manifestation of insincerity; 'he put on quite an act for her benefit'.

(verb.) behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; 'You should act like an adult'; 'Don't behave like a fool'; 'What makes her do this way?'; 'The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people'.

(verb.) pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; 'He acted the idiot'; 'She plays deaf when the news are bad'.

(verb.) discharge one's duties; 'She acts as the chair'; 'In what capacity are you acting?'.

(verb.) play a role or part; 'Gielgud played Hamlet'; 'She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role'; 'She played the servant to her husband's master'.

(verb.) perform on a stage or theater; 'She acts in this play'; 'He acted in `Julius Caesar''; 'I played in `A Christmas Carol''.

(verb.) perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); 'think before you act'; 'We must move quickly'; 'The governor should act on the new energy bill'; 'The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel'.

(verb.) be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure.

(verb.) be suitable for theatrical performance; 'This scene acts well'.

Typed by Chauncey--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.

(n.) The result of public deliberation; the decision or determination of a legislative body, council, court of justice, etc.; a decree, edit, law, judgment, resolve, award; as, an act of Parliament, or of Congress.

(n.) A formal solemn writing, expressing that something has been done.

(n.) A performance of part of a play; one of the principal divisions of a play or dramatic work in which a certain definite part of the action is completed.

(n.) A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.

(n.) A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.

(n.) Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).

(v. t.) To move to action; to actuate; to animate.

(v. t.) To perform; to execute; to do.

(v. t.) To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.

(v. t.) To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.

(v. t.) To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.

(v. i.) To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.

(v. i.) To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth energy; to move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry into effect a determination of the will.

(v. i.) To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know not why he has acted so.

(v. i.) To perform on the stage; to represent a character.

Checker: Neil

Synonyms and Synonymous

v. n. [1]. Work, move, carry any thing into effect, execute a purpose, be in action.[2]. Behave, conduct one's self, demean one's self, acquit one's self.[3]. Operate, have influence.

v. a. [1]. Do, perform, execute, carry into execution.[2]. Personate, play, simulate, enact, play the part of, take the part of.

n. [1]. Deed (viewed as a single exertion of power), ACTION, performance, proceeding, thing, exploit, feat, achievement, turn.[2]. Statute, enactment, ordinance, edict, decree, law, bill.[3]. Fact, reality, actuality, real existence.

Checked by Casey

Synonyms and Antonyms

SYN:Deed, performance, action, movement, proceeding, exercise, operation, play

ANT:Inaction, rest, repose, cessation, suspension, quiet, immobility, inertia,quiescence, Action,[See ACT]

Checked by Danny

Definition

v.i. to exert force or influence: to produce an effect: to behave one's self: to feign.—v.t. to perform: to imitate or play the part of.—n. something done or doing: an exploit: the very process of doing something: a law or decision of a prince or legislative body: an instrument in writing for verification: (theol.) something done once for all in opposition to a work: a distinct section of a play: in universities a public disputation or lecture maintained by a candidate for a degree.—n. Act′ing action: act of performing an assumed or a dramatic part: feigning.—adj. performing some duty temporarily or for another.—n. Act′or one who acts: a stage-player:—fem. Act′ress.—Act of God a result of natural forces unexpected and not preventable by human foresight.—In act to on the very point of doing something.—To act on to act in accordance with; To act up to to come up in practice to some expected standard: to fulfil.

Editor: Samantha