I. ˈakt noun
Etymology: Middle English, partly from Latin actus doing, act, from agere to drive, do; partly from Latin actum thing done, record, from neuter of actus, past participle of agere — more at agent
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : the doing of a thing : deed
b. : something done voluntarily
2. : a state of real existence rather than possibility
3. : the formal product of a legislative body : statute ; also : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice
4. : the process of doing : action
caught in the act
5. often capitalized : a formal record of something done or transacted
6. : one of the principal divisions of a theatrical work (as a play or opera)
7.
a. : one of successive parts or performances (as in a variety show or circus)
b. : the performer or performers in such an act
c. : a performance or presentation identified with a particular individual or group
d. : the sum of a person's actions or effects that serve to create an impression or set an example
a hard act to follow
8. : a display of affected behavior : pretense
•
- into the act
II.
Date: 1590
transitive verb
1. obsolete : actuate , animate
2.
a. : to represent or perform by action especially on the stage
b. : feign , simulate
c. : impersonate
3. : to play the part of as if in a play
act the man of the world
4. : to behave in a manner suitable to
act your age
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to perform on the stage
b. : to behave as if performing on the stage : pretend
2. : to take action : move
think before act ing
act ed favorably on the recommendation
3. : to conduct oneself : behave
act like a fool
4. : to perform a specified function : serve
trees act ing as a windbreak
5. : to produce an effect : work
wait for a medicine to act
6. of a play : to be capable of being performed
the play act s well
7. : to give a decision or award
adjourned without act ing on the bill
• act·abil·i·ty ˌak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• act·able ˈak-tə-bəl adjective
III. abbreviation
1. active
2. actor
3. actual