[ac.tion] n (14c) 1: the initiating of a proceeding in a court of justice by which one demands or enforces one's right; also: the proceeding itself
2: the bringing about of an alteration by force or through a natural agency
3: the manner or method of performing: a: the deportment of an actor or speaker or his expression by means of attitude, voice, and gesture b: the style of movement of the feet and legs (as of a horse) c: a function of the body or one of its parts
4: an act of will
5. a: a thing done: deed b: the accomplishment of a thing usu. over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition c pl: behavior, conduct "unscrupulous ~s" d: initiative, enterprise "a man of ~"
6. a (1): an engagement between troops or ships (2): combat in war "gallantry in ~" b (1): an event or series of events forming a literary composition (2): the unfolding of the events of a drama or work of fiction: plot (3): the movement of incidents in a plot c: the combination of circumstances that constitute the subject matter of a painting or sculpture
7. a: an operating mechanism b: the manner in which a mechanism or instrument operates
8. a: the price movement and trading volume of a commodity, security, or market b: the process of betting including the offering and acceptance of a bet and determination of a winner c: an opportunity for financial gain "a piece of the ~" 9: the most vigorous, productive, or exciting activity in a particular field, area, or group "they itch to go where the ~ is --D. J. Henahan"