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action

 - 10 dictionary results

ac⋅tion

  [ak-shuhn]
Use action in a Sentence
–noun
1. the process or state of acting or of being active: The machine is not in action now.
2. something done or performed; act; deed.
3. an act that one consciously wills and that may be characterized by physical or mental activity: a crisis that demands action instead of debate; hoping for constructive action by the landlord.
4. actions, habitual or usual acts; conduct: He is responsible for his actions.
5. energetic activity: a man of action.
6. an exertion of power or force: the action of wind upon a ship's sails.
7. effect or influence: the action of morphine.
8. Physiology. a change in organs, tissues, or cells leading to performance of a function, as in muscular contraction.
9. way or manner of moving: the action of a machine or of a horse.
10. the mechanism by which something is operated, as that of a gun or a piano.
11. a military encounter or engagement; battle, skirmish, or the like.
12. actual engagement in fighting an enemy; military or naval combat: He saw action in Vietnam.
13. Literature. the main subject or story, as distinguished from an incidental episode.
14. Theater.
a. an event or series of events that form part of a dramatic plot: the action of a scene.
b. one of the three unities. Compare unity (def. 8).
15. the gestures or deportment of an actor or speaker.
16. Fine Arts. the appearance of animation, movement, or emotion given to figures by their attitude, position, or expression.
17. Law.
a. a proceeding instituted by one party against another.
b. the right of bringing it.
18. Slang.
a. interesting or exciting activity, often of an illicit nature: He gave us some tips on where the action was.
b. gambling or the excitement of gambling: The casino usually offers plenty of action.
c. money bet in gambling, esp. illegally.
19. Ecclesiastical.
a. a religious ceremony, esp. a Eucharistic service.
b. the canon of the Mass.
c. those parts of a service of worship in which the congregation participates.
–adjective
20. characterized by brisk or dynamic action: an action car; an action melodrama.
—Idioms
21. in action,
a. performing or taking part in a characteristic act: The school baseball team is in action tonight.
b. working; functioning: His rescuing the child was bravery in action.
22. out of action, removed from action, as by sudden disability: The star halfback is out of action with a bad knee.
23. piece of the action, Informal. a share of the proceeds or profits: Cut me in for a piece of the action.
24. take action,
a. to start doing something: As soon as we get his decision, we'll take action.
b. to start a legal procedure.
Origin:
1300–50; < L āctiōn- (s. of āctiō), equiv. to āct(us) (ptp.; see act ) + -iōn- -ion; r. ME accioun < AF < L

Related forms:
ac⋅tion⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. movement, operation. 2. Action, act, deed mean something done. Action applies esp. to the doing, act to the result of the doing. An action usually lasts through some time and consists of more than one act: to take action on a petition. An act is single: an act of kindness. Deed emphasizes the finished or completed quality of an act; it may imply an act of some note, good or bad: an irrevocable deed; a deed of daring. 4. behavior. 12. brush, encounter, fight, skirmish. See battle. 15. plot.

Antonyms:
1. rest, inactivity.

ACTION

  [ak-shuhn]
–noun U.S. Government.
an independent agency created in 1971 to administer domestic volunteer programs.
Origin:
named by analogy with the acronymic names of other agencies, but itself not an acronym
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To action
ac·tion   (āk'shən)   
n.  

  1. The state or process of acting or doing: The medical team went into action.

  2. Something done or accomplished; a deed. See Usage Note at act.

  3. Organized activity to accomplish an objective: a problem requiring drastic action.

  4. The causation of change by the exertion of power or a natural process: the action of waves on a beach; the action of a drug on blood pressure.

  5. A movement or a series of movements, as of an actor.

  6. Manner of movement: a horse with fine action.

  7. Habitual or vigorous activity; energy: a woman of action.

  8. Behavior or conduct. Often used in the plural.

    1. The operating parts of a mechanism.

    2. The manner in which such parts operate.

    3. The manner in which a musical instrument can be played; playability: a piano with quick action.

    4. Armed encounter; combat: missing in action.

    5. An engagement between troops or ships: fought a rear-guard action.

  10. The series of events and episodes that form the plot of a story or play.

  11. The appearance of animation of a figure in painting or sculpture.

  12. Law A judicial proceeding whose purpose is to obtain relief at the hands of a court.

    1. Armed encounter; combat: missing in action.

    2. An engagement between troops or ships: fought a rear-guard action.

  14. The most important or exciting work or activity in a specific field or area: always heads for where the action is.

ac'tion·less adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
action

  1. n.
    excitement; activity in general; whatever is happening. : This place is dull. I want some action!
  2. n.
    a share of something; a share of the winnings or of the booty. (See also piece (of the action).) : I did my share of the work, and I want my share of the action.
  3. n.
    sex; copulation. : All those guys are just trying for a little action.
  4. n.
    illegal activity; commerce in drugs; acts of crime. (Underworld.) : Things have been a little slow here, but there's some action on the East Coast.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

action 
c.1360, from O.Fr. action, from L. actionem (nom. actio), from stem of agere "to do" (see act). Meaning "fighting" is from 1599. As a film director's command, it is attested from 1923. Meaning "excitement" is recorded from 1968. Phrase actions speak louder than words is attested from 1845.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ac·tion
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin actio legal proceeding, from agere to do, carry out, initiate legal proceedings
1 a : a judicial proceeding for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense —compare special proceeding at PROCEEDING b : the right to bring or maintain such a legal or judicial proceeding
2 : an act or decision by an executive or legislative body of a government (as an administrative agency) or of an organization (as a Board of Directors) actions —Railroad H. Bork>
3 : a voluntary act of will that manifests itself externally : a mode of conduct
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ac·tion
Pronunciation: 'ak-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the process of exerting a force or bringing about an effect that resultsfrom the inherent capacity of an agent action> action> action of heroin is blocked by methadone>
2 : a function or the performance of a function of the body (as defecation) or of one of its parts actions of the bowel in 24hours —Morris Fishbein> action>
3 : an act of will
4 actions pl : BEHAVIOR actions>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

action ac·tion (āk'shən)
n.

  1. The state or process of acting or doing.

  2. A deed.

  3. A change that occurs in the body or in a bodily organ as a result of its functioning.

  4. Exertion of force or power.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

action

In addition to the idioms beginning with action, also see all talk and no action; piece of the action; swing into action.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
ACTION
American Council to Improve Our Neighborhoods
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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