— playacting , n. — playactor , n.
/play"akt'/ , v.i.
1. to engage in make-believe.
2. to be insincere or affected in speech, manner, etc.: It's hard to get away with playacting with members of one's own family.
3. to perform in a play.
v.t.
4. to dramatize (something): They playacted the movements of a burglar.
[ 1895-1900; back formation from playacting; see PLAY, ACT, -ING 1 ]