anything done, being done, or to be done; deed; performance: a heroic act.
2.
the process of doing: caught in the act.
3.
a formal decision, law, or the like, by a legislature, ruler, court, or other authority; decree or edict; statute; judgment, resolve, or award: an act of Congress.
4.
an instrument or document stating something done or transacted.
5.
one of the main divisions of a play or opera: the second act of Hamlet.
6.
a short performance by one or more entertainers, usually part of a variety show or radio or television program.
7.
the personnel of such a group: The act broke up after 30 years.
8.
false show; pretense; feint: The politician's pious remarks were all an act.
9.
Philosophy. (in scholasticism)
a.
activity in process; operation.
b.
the principle or power of operation.
c.
form as determining essence.
d.
a state of realization, as opposed to potentiality.
–verb (used without object)
10.
to do something; exert energy or force; be employed or operative: He acted promptly in the emergency.
11.
to reach, make, or issue a decision on some matter: I am required to act before noon tomorrow.
12.
to operate or function in a particular way; perform specific duties or functions: to act as manager.
13.
to produce an effect; perform a function: The medicine failed to act.
14.
to behave or conduct oneself in a particular fashion: to act well under all conditions.
15.
to pretend; feign: Act interested even if you're bored.
16.
to perform as an actor: He acted in three plays by Molière.
17.
to be capable of being performed: His plays don't act well.
18.
to serve or substitute (usually fol. by for): In my absence the assistant manager will act for me.
–verb (used with object)
19.
to represent (a fictitious or historical character) with one's person: to act Macbeth.
20.
to feign; counterfeit: to act outraged virtue.
21.
to behave as: He acted the fool.
22.
Obsolete. to actuate.
—Verb phrases
23.
act on or upon,
a.
to act in accordance with; follow: He acted on my advice.
b.
to have an effect on; affect: The stirring music acted on the emotions of the audience.
24.
act out,
a.
to demonstrate or illustrate by pantomime or by words and gestures: The party guests acted out stories for one another.
b.
Psychology. to give overt expression to (repressed emotions or impulses) without insightful understanding: The patients acted out early traumas by getting angry with the analyst.
25.
act up,
a.
to fail to function properly; malfunction: The vacuum cleaner is acting up again.
b.
to behave willfully: The children always act up in school the day before a holiday.
c.
to become painful or troublesome, esp. after a period of improvement or remission: My arthritis is acting up again this morning.
26.
get or have one's act together, Informal. to organize one's time, job, resources, etc., so as to function efficiently: The new administration is still getting its act together.
—Idioms
27.
act funny, to display eccentric or suspicious behavior.
28.
act one's age, to behave in a manner appropriate to one's maturity: We children enjoyed our uncle because he didn't always act his age.
29.
clean up one's act, Informal. to begin adhering to more acceptable practices, rules of behavior, etc.: The factory must clean up its act and treat its employees better.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME act(e) (< MF) < L ācta, pl. of āctum something done, n. use of ptp. of agere to do (āg- ptp. s. + -tum neut. ptp. suffix); and directly < L āctus a doing (āg- + -tus suffix of v. action)]
The process of doing or performing something: the act of thinking.
Something done or performed; a deed: a charitable act.
A product, such as a statute, decree, or enactment, resulting from a decision by a legislative or judicial body: an act of Congress.
A formal written record of proceedings or transactions.
One of the major divisions of a play or opera.
A performance or entertainment usually forming part of a longer presentation: a juggling act; a magic act.
The actor or actors presenting such a performance: joined the act in Phoenix.
A manifestation of intentional or unintentional insincerity; a pose: put on an act.
v.
act·ed, act·ing, acts
v.
tr.
To play the part of; assume the dramatic role of: She plans to act Lady Macbeth in summer stock.
To perform (a role) on the stage: act the part of the villain.
To behave like or pose as; impersonate: Don't act the fool.
To behave in a manner suitable for: Act your age.
v.
intr.
To behave or comport oneself: She acts like a born leader.
To perform in a dramatic role or roles.
To be suitable for theatrical performance: This scene acts well.
To behave affectedly or unnaturally; pretend.
To appear or seem to be: The dog acted ferocious.
To carry out an action: We acted immediately. The governor has not yet acted on the bill.
To operate or function in a specific way: His mind acts quickly.
To serve or function as a substitute for another: A coin can act as a screwdriver.
To produce an effect: waited five minutes for the anesthetic to act.
To perform in or as if in a play; represent dramatically: act out a story.
To realize in action: wanted to act out his theory.
To express (unconscious impulses, for example) in an overt manner without conscious understanding or regard for social appropriateness.
To misbehave.
To malfunction.
Informal To become active or troublesome after a period of quiescence: My left knee acts up in damp weather. Her arthritis is acting up again.
Phrasal Verb(s): act out
To perform in or as if in a play; represent dramatically: act out a story.
To realize in action: wanted to act out his theory.
To express (unconscious impulses, for example) in an overt manner without conscious understanding or regard for social appropriateness.
act up
To misbehave.
To malfunction.
Informal To become active or troublesome after a period of quiescence: My left knee acts up in damp weather. Her arthritis is acting up again.
Idiom(s):
be in on the act
To be included in an activity.
Idiom(s):
clean up (one's) act Slang
To improve one's behavior or performance.
Idiom(s):
get into the act
To insert oneself into an ongoing activity, project, or situation.
Idiom(s):
get (one's) act together Slang
To get organized.
[Middle English, from Old French acte, from Latin āctus, a doing, and āctum, a thing done, both from past participle of agere, to drive, do; see ag- in Indo-European roots.]
ac'ta·bil'i·ty n., act'a·ble adj.
Usage Note: The words act and action both mean "a deed" and "the process of doing." However, other senses of act, such as "a decision made by a legislative body" and of action, such as "habitual or vigorous activity" show that act tends to refer to a deed while action tends to refer to the process of doing. Thus, people engage in sex acts but not sex actions. By the same token, a person may want a piece of the action, but not a piece of the act. The demands of meaning or idiom will often require one word or the other. But in some cases either can be used: my act (or action) was premature.
c.1384, from O.Fr. acte, from L. actus "a doing" and actum "a thing done," both from agere "to do, set in motion, drive, urge, chase, stir up," from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move" (cf. Gk. agein "to lead, guide, drive, carry off," agon "assembly, contest in the games," agogos "leader;" Skt. ajati "drives," ajirah "moving, active;" O.N. aka "to drive;" M.Ir. ag "battle"). Theatrical (1520) and legislative (1458) senses of the word also were in Latin. The verb is first attested 1475; in the theatrical performance sense it is from 1594. In the act "in the process" is from 1596, originally from the 16c. sense of the act as "sexual intercourse." Act of God "uncontrollable natural force" first recorded 1882. To act out "behave anti-socially" (1974) is from psychiatric sense of "expressing one's unconscious impulses or desires."
a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
2.
something that people do or cause to happen
3.
a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
4.
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"
5.
a manifestation of insincerity; "he put on quite an act for her benefit"
verb
1.
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" [ant: forbear]
2.
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"
3.
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"
4.
discharge one's duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?"
5.
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
6.
be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts well"
7.
have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected; "The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought"; "How does your idea work in practice?"; "This method doesn't work"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water" [syn: work]
8.
be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
9.
behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting" [syn: dissemble]
10.
perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in 'Julius Caesar'"; "I played in 'A Christmas Carol'"
to do something Example: It's time the government acted to lower taxes.
Arabic:
يَعْمَل، يَقُوم بِعَمَل
Chinese (Simplified):
做
Chinese (Traditional):
做
Czech:
jednat, konat
Danish:
handle; foretage sig noget
Dutch:
optreden
Estonian:
tegutsema
Finnish:
toimia
French:
agir
German:
handeln
Greek:
ενεργώ
Hungarian:
cselekszik, tesz
Icelandic:
aðhafast, gera
Indonesian:
bertindak
Italian:
agire
Japanese:
行動する
Korean:
행하다
Latvian:
darboties; rīkoties
Lithuanian:
veikti
Norwegian:
handle, foreta seg noe, gjøre noe
Polish:
działać
Portuguese (Brazil):
agir
Portuguese (Portugal):
agir
Romanian:
a acţiona
Russian:
действовать
Slovak:
jednať, konať
Slovenian:
ukrepati
Spanish:
actuar
Swedish:
handla
Turkish:
harekete geçmek
act2[ӕkt]verb
to behave Example: He acted foolishly at the meeting.
Arabic:
يَتَصَرَّف
Chinese (Simplified):
举止
Chinese (Traditional):
舉止
Czech:
chovat se
Danish:
opføre sig
Dutch:
optreden
Estonian:
käituma
Finnish:
käyttäytyä
French:
se comporter
German:
sich verhalten
Greek:
συμπεριφέρομαι
Hungarian:
viselkedik
Icelandic:
hegða sér
Indonesian:
berlaku, berbuat
Italian:
comportarsi
Japanese:
ふるまう
Korean:
행동하다
Latvian:
izturēties
Lithuanian:
elgtis
Norwegian:
oppføre seg
Polish:
zachowywać się
Portuguese (Brazil):
comportar-se
Portuguese (Portugal):
portar-se
Romanian:
a se comporta
Russian:
вести себя
Slovak:
správať sa
Slovenian:
vesti se
Spanish:
comportarse
Swedish:
uppföra sig, agera
Turkish:
davranmak
act3[ӕkt]verb
to perform (a part) in a play (= pretending) Example: He has acted (the part of Romeo) in many theatres; I thought he was dying, but he was only acting
Arabic:
يُمَـثِّـل
Chinese (Simplified):
扮演
Chinese (Traditional):
扮演
Czech:
hrát
Danish:
optræde; spille; agere
Dutch:
acteren
Estonian:
näitlema
Finnish:
näytellä
French:
jouer
German:
spielen
Greek:
παίζω, υποδύομαι (ρόλο)
Hungarian:
(el)játszik
Icelandic:
leika
Indonesian:
berakting
Italian:
recitare
Japanese:
演じる
Korean:
(연극 등에서) 역을 맡아하다
Latvian:
tēlot
Lithuanian:
vaidinti
Norwegian:
spille, opptre
Polish:
grać, występować
Portuguese (Brazil):
representar
Portuguese (Portugal):
representar
Romanian:
a juca, *a interpreta (un rol); a juca (teatru)
Russian:
играть (роль)
Slovak:
hrať
Slovenian:
igrati
Spanish:
actuar, representar, fingir
Swedish:
spela, agera, låtsas
Turkish:
rol yapmak, oynamak
act1[ӕkt]noun
something done Example: Running away is an act of cowardice; He committed many cruel acts.
Arabic:
عَمَـل
Chinese (Simplified):
行为
Chinese (Traditional):
行為
Czech:
čin
Danish:
handlinger
Dutch:
daad
Estonian:
tegu
Finnish:
teko
French:
acte
German:
die Tat
Greek:
πράξη
Hungarian:
tett
Icelandic:
athöfn
Indonesian:
perbuatan
Italian:
atto
Japanese:
行い
Korean:
행동
Latvian:
darbība; rīcība
Lithuanian:
veiksmas
Norwegian:
handling, gjerning
Polish:
akt, wyczyn
Portuguese (Brazil):
ato
Portuguese (Portugal):
acto
Romanian:
act
Russian:
поступок
Slovak:
čin, skutok
Slovenian:
dejanje
Spanish:
acto
Swedish:
handling, gärning
Turkish:
davranış, hareket
act2[ӕkt]noun
(often with capital) a law Example: Acts of Parliament.
Arabic:
قَانُون
Chinese (Simplified):
法令
Chinese (Traditional):
法令
Czech:
zákon
Danish:
lov
Dutch:
wet
Estonian:
seadus
Finnish:
laki
French:
loi
German:
die Gesetz
Greek:
νόμος
Hungarian:
törvény
Icelandic:
lög
Indonesian:
undang-undang
Italian:
legge
Japanese:
法令
Korean:
법령
Latvian:
likums
Lithuanian:
įstatymas
Norwegian:
lov
Polish:
akt
Portuguese (Brazil):
lei
Portuguese (Portugal):
decreto
Romanian:
lege
Russian:
закон; акт
Slovak:
zákon
Slovenian:
ukrep
Spanish:
ley
Swedish:
lag
Turkish:
yasa, kanun
act3[ӕkt]noun
a section of a play Example: `Hamlet' has five acts.
Arabic:
فَصِل فِي مَسْرَحِيَّه
Chinese (Simplified):
一幕
Chinese (Traditional):
一幕
Czech:
dějství
Danish:
akt
Dutch:
bedrijf
Estonian:
vaatus
Finnish:
näytös
French:
acte
German:
der Akt
Greek:
πράξη (θεατρικού έργου)
Hungarian:
felvonás
Icelandic:
þáttur
Indonesian:
babak
Italian:
atto
Japanese:
幕 (演劇)
Korean:
(연극의) 막
Latvian:
(lugas) cēliens
Lithuanian:
veiksmas
Norwegian:
akt
Polish:
akt, prawo, ustawa
Portuguese (Brazil):
ato
Portuguese (Portugal):
acto
Romanian:
act al unei piese de teatru
Russian:
акт, действие
Slovak:
dejstvo
Slovenian:
dejanje
Spanish:
acto
Swedish:
akt
Turkish:
perde
act4[ӕkt]noun
an entertainment Example: an act called `The Smith Family'
Act\ ([a^]kt), n. [L. actus, fr. agere to drive, do: cf. F. acte. See Agent.]1. That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed. That best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts Of kindness and of love. --Wordsworth. Hence, in specific uses: (a) 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. (b) A formal solemn writing, expressing that something has been done. --Abbott. (c) 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. (d) A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student. 2. A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence. [Obs.] The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility, what they afterward grow to be. --Hooker. 3. Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing). "In act to shoot." --Dryden. This woman was taken . . . in the very act. --John viii. 4. Act of attainder. (Law) See Attainder. Act of bankruptcy (Law), an act of a debtor which renders him liable to be adjudged a bankrupt. Act of faith. (Ch. Hist.) See Auto-da-F['e]. Act of God (Law), an inevitable accident; such extraordinary interruption of the usual course of events as is not to be looked for in advance, and against which ordinary prudence could not guard. Act of grace, an expression often used to designate an act declaring pardon or amnesty to numerous offenders, as at the beginning of a new reign. Act of indemnity, a statute passed for the protection of those who have committed some illegal act subjecting them to penalties. --Abbott. Act in pais, a thing done out of court (anciently, in the country), and not a matter of record. Syn: See Action.
Act\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acting.] [L. actus, p. p. of agere to drive, lead, do; but influenced by E. act, n.]1. To move to action; to actuate; to animate. [Obs.] Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul. --Pope. 2. To perform; to execute; to do. [Archaic] That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our necessity. --Jer. Taylor. Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of acting things expedient for us to do. --Barrow. Uplifted hands that at convenient times Could act extortion and the worst of crimes. --Cowper. 3. To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage. 4. To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero. 5. To feign or counterfeit; to simulate. With acted fear the villain thus pursued. --Dryden. To act a part, to sustain the part of one of the characters in a play; hence, to simulate; to dissemble. To act the part of, to take the character of; to fulfill the duties of.
Act\, v. i. 1. To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food. 2. 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. He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest. --Pope. 3. 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. 4. To perform on the stage; to represent a character. To show the world how Garrick did not act. --Cowper. To act as or for, to do the work of; to serve as. To act on, to regulate one's conduct according to. To act up to, to equal in action; to fulfill in practice; as, he has acted up to his engagement or his advantages.
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