Dictionary.com Unabridged

re·act

[ree-akt]
verb (used without object)
1.
to act in response to an agent or influence: How did the audience react to the speech?
2.
to act reciprocally upon each other, as two things.
3.
to act in a reverse direction or manner, especially so as to return to a prior condition.
4.
to act in opposition, as against some force.
5.
to respond to a stimulus in a particular manner: reacting to a shock by jumping; to react to the word “coward” with anger.
6.
to undergo a chemical reaction.

Origin:
1635–45; re- + act, probably modeled on Medieval Latin reagere

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To react
00:10
React is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
to spend time idly; loaf.
Collins
World English Dictionary
react (rɪˈækt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb (foll by against)
1.  (intr; foll by to, upon etc) (of a person or thing) to act in response to another person, a stimulus, etc, or (of two people or things) to act together in a certain way
2.  to act in an opposing or contrary manner
3.  (intr) physics to exert an equal force in the opposite direction to an acting force
4.  chem to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction
 
[C17: from Late Latin reagere, from re- + Latin agere to drive, do]

re-act (riːˈækt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
(tr) to act or perform again

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

react re·act (rē-ākt')
v. re·act·ed, re·act·ing, re·acts

  1. To act in response to a stimulus.

  2. To undergo a chemical reaction.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
Scientists typically respond and react after viruses have already spread.
These react to form helium, yet more neutrons and a whole lot more energy.
These however tend to react somewhat more negatively when you tie them to a pole when going off on a holiday.
Even natural fragrances can react with ozone in the air to make toxins.
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