Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Popular Searches
Nearby Words
Definition of preact - 3 dictionary results

act

  [akt]
Use preact in a Sentence
–noun
1. 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)

Synonyms:
1. feat, exploit; achievement; transaction; accomplishment. See action. 4. record. 6. turn, routine. 23–13. perform, function, work. 15, 16. play.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To preact
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: 2act
Function: intransitive verb
1 : to carry into effect a determination of the will : take action
2 : to discharge the duties of a specified office or post : perform a specified function —used with a prepositional phrase act as President —U.S. Constitution article II>
3 : to give a decision or award (as by vote of a deliberative body or by judicial decree) —often used with on acted on> —ac·tor /'ak-t&r/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: act
Function: abbreviation
active
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see preact on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way