1. act(n = noun.communication) enactment - a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body;
is a kind of instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document
has particulars: nullity, decree, edict, fiat, order, rescript, legislative act, statute
2. act(n = noun.tops) deed, human action, human activity - something that people do or cause to happen;
is a kind of event
has particulars: action, acquiring, getting, causation, causing, delivery, obstetrical delivery, departure, going, going away, leaving, discovery, find, uncovering, disposal, disposition, effectuation, implementation, egress, egression, emergence, equalisation, equalization, leveling, digging up, disinterment, exhumation, mitsvah, mitzvah, actuation, propulsion, recovery, retrieval, running away, touch, touching, nonaccomplishment, nonachievement, leaning, motivating, motivation, assumption, rejection, forfeit, forfeiture, sacrifice, derivation, activity, hire, wear, wearing, assessment, judgement, judgment, production, stay, abidance, residence, residency, inactivity, hinderance, hindrance, interference, stop, stoppage, group action, distribution, legitimation, permissive waste, waste, proclamation, promulgation, communicating, communication, speech act
Derived forms verb act1, verb actuate1, verb actuate2
3. act(n = noun.communication) - a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet;
is a kind of dramatic composition, dramatic work
is a part of ballet, concert dance, drama, dramatic play, play, opera
has parts: scene
4. act(n = noun.communication) bit, number, routine, turn - 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"
is a kind of performance, public presentation
has particulars: show-stopper, showstopper, stopper
Derived forms verb act3, verb act10, verb act6
5. act(n = noun.communication) - a manifestation of insincerity; "he put on quite an act for her benefit"
is a kind of expression, manifestation, reflection, reflexion
Derived forms verb act5, verb act9
1. act(v = verb.social) move - 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"
Antonym: refrain
Derived forms noun act2, noun action1, noun action2
Sample sentences:
Something ----s; Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s PP
2. act(v = verb.body) behave, do - 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"
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s Adjective
3. act(v = verb.creation) play, represent - 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"
is one way to re-create
Derived forms noun act4, adjective actable1, noun acting1, noun actor1
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody
4. act(v = verb.competition) - discharge one's duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?"
is one way to serve
Derived form noun actor2
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s PP
5. act(v = verb.body) act as, play - pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
is one way to act, behave, do
Derived form noun act5
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s somebody
6. act(v = verb.stative) - be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts well"
is one way to be
Derived forms noun act4, adjective actable1, noun acting1
Sample sentences:
Something ----s Adjective/Noun
7. act(v = verb.social) work - 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"
is one way to bring home the bacon, come through, deliver the goods, succeed, win
Sample sentences:
Something ----s; Something is ----ing PP
8. act(v = verb.social) - be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure;
Derived form noun action2
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
9. act(v = verb.creation) dissemble, pretend - behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting"
Derived form noun act5
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s something
10. act(v = verb.creation) play, playact, roleplay - perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
is one way to perform
Derived forms noun act4, adjective actable1, noun acting1, noun actor1
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
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. [1913 Webster]
"That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love." [1913 Webster]
2. A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence. [1913 Webster]
"The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility, what they afterward grow to be." [1913 Webster]
3. Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing). Dryden. [1913 Webster]
"This woman was taken . . . in the very act." [1913 Webster]
1. To move to action; to actuate; to animate. [1913 Webster]
"Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul." [1913 Webster]
2. To perform; to execute; to do. [1913 Webster]
"That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our necessity." [1913 Webster]
"Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of acting things expedient for us to do." [1913 Webster]
"Uplifted hands that at convenient times
Could act extortion and the worst of crimes." [1913 Webster]
3. To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage. [1913 Webster]
4. To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero. [1913 Webster]
5. To feign or counterfeit; to simulate. [1913 Webster]
"With acted fear the villain thus pursued." [1913 Webster]
1. To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
"He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest." [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
4. To perform on the stage; to represent a character. [1913 Webster]
"To show the world how Garrick did not act." [1913 Webster]
act, abbr. Australian Capital Territory.
act, n. & v.
--n.
1 something done; a deed; an action.
2 the process of doing something (caught in the act).
3 a a piece of entertainment, usu. one of a series in a programme. b the performer(s) of this.
4 a pretence; behaviour intended to deceive or impress (it was all an act).
5 a main division of a play or opera.
6 a a written ordinance of a parliament or other legislative body. b a document attesting a legal transaction.
7 (often in pl.) the recorded decisions or proceedings of a committee, an academic body, etc.
8 (Acts) ( in full Acts of the Apostles) the New Testament book relating the growth of the early Church.
--v.
1 intr. behave (see how they act under stress).
2 intr. perform actions or functions; operate effectively; take action (act as referee; the brakes failed to act; we must act quickly).
3 intr. (also foll. by on) exert energy or influence (the medicine soon began to act; alcohol acts on the brain).
4 intr. a perform a part in a play, film, etc. b pretend.
5 tr. a perform the part of (acted Othello; acts the fool). b perform (a play etc.). c portray (an incident) by actions. d feign (we acted indifference).
Idiom:
act for be the (esp. legal) representative of. act of God the operation of uncontrollable natural forces. act of grace a privilege or concession that cannot be claimed as a right. act on (or upon) perform or carry out; put into operation (acted on my advice). act out
1 translate (ideas etc.) into action.
2 Psychol. represent (one's subconscious desires etc.) in action. act up colloq. misbehave; give trouble (my car is acting up again). get one's act together sl. become properly organized; make preparations for an undertaking etc. get into the act sl. become a participant (esp. for profit). put on an act colloq. carry out a pretence.
Derivative:
actable adj. (in sense 5 of v.). actability n. (in sense 5 of v.).
Etymology:
ME ult. f. L agere act- do
N the drama, the stage, the theater, the play, film the film, movies, motion pictures, cinema, cinematography, theatricals, dramaturgy, histrionic art, buskin, sock, cothurnus, Melpomene and Thalia, Thespis, play, drama, stage play, piece, five-act play, tragedy, comedy, opera, vaudeville, comedietta, lever de rideau, interlude, afterpiece, exode, farce, divertissement, extravaganza, burletta, harlequinade, pantomime, burlesque, opera bouffe, ballet, spectacle, masque, drame comedie drame, melodrama, melodrame, comidie larmoyante, sensation drama, tragicomedy, farcical-comedy, monodrame monologue, duologue trilogy, charade, proverbs, mystery, miracle play, musical, musical comedy, western, horse opera, flick, spy film, love story, adventure film, documentary, nature film, pornographic film, smoker, skin flick, X-rated film, act, scene, tableau, induction, introduction, prologue, epilogue, libretto, performance, representation, mise en scene, stagery, jeu de theatre, acting, gesture, impersonation, stage business, gag, buffoonery, light comedy, genteel comedy, low comedy, theater, playhouse, opera house, house, music hall, amphitheater, circus, hippodrome, theater in the round, puppet show, fantoccini, marionettes, Punch and Judy, auditory, auditorium, front of the house, stalls, boxes, pit, gallery, parquet, greenroom, coulisses, flat, drop, drop scene, wing, screen, side scene, transformation scene, curtain, act drop, proscenium, stage, scene, scenery, the boards, trap, mezzanine floor, flies, floats, footlights, offstage, orchestra, theatrical costume, theatrical properties, movie studio, back lot, on location, part, role, character, dramatis personae, repertoire, actor, thespian, player, method actor, stage player, strolling player, stager, performer, mime, mimer, artists, comedian, tragedian, tragedienne, Roscius, star, movie star, star of stage and screen, superstar, idol, sex symbol, supporting actor, supporting cast, ham, hamfatter, masker, pantomimist, clown harlequin, buffo, buffoon, farceur, grimacer, pantaloon, columbine, punchinello, pulcinello, pulcinella, extra, bit- player, walk-on role, cameo appearance, mute, figurante, general utility, super, supernumerary, company, first tragedian, prima donna, protagonist, jeune premier, debutant, debutante, light comedian, genteel comedian, low comedian, walking gentleman, amoroso, heavy father, ingenue, jeune veuve, mummer, guiser, guisard, gysart, masque, mountebank, Jack Pudding, tumbler, posture master, acrobat, contortionist, ballet dancer, ballet girl, chorus singer, coryphee danseuse, property man, costumier, machinist, prompter, call boy, manager, director, stage manager, acting manager, producer, entrepreneur, impresario, backer, investor, angel, dramatic author, dramatic writer, play writer, playwright, dramatist, mimographer, dramatic, theatric, theatrical, scenic, histrionic, comic, tragic, buskined, farcical, tragicomic, melodramatic, operatic, stagy, on the stage, on the boards, on film, before the floats, before an audience, behind the scenes, fere totus mundus exercet histrionem, suit the action to the word, the word to the action, the play's the thing, to wake the soul by tender strokes of art.
VB act, play, perform, put on the stage, personate, mimic, enact, play a part, act a part, go through a part, perform a part, rehearse, spout, gag, rant, strut and fret one's hour upon a stage, tread the boards, tread the stage, come out, star it.
VB pass one's time in, employ one's time in, spend one's time in, employ oneself in, employ oneself upon, occupy oneself with, concern oneself with, make it one's business, undertake, enter a profession, betake oneself to, turn one's hand to, have to do with, office, place, post, chargeship, incumbency, living, situation, berth, employ, service, engagement, undertaking, drive a trade, carry on a trade, do a trade, transact a trade, carry on business, do business, transact business, keep a shop, ply one's task, ply one's trade, labor in one's vocation, pursue the even tenor of one's way, attend to business, attend to one's work, officiate, serve, act, act one's part, play one's part, do duty, serve the office of, discharge the office of, perform the office of, perform the duties of, perform the functions of, hold an office, fill an office, fill a place, fill a situation, hold a portfolio, hold a place, hold a situation, be about, be doing, be engaged in, be employed in, be occupied with, be at work on, have one's hands in, have in hand, have on one's hands, have on one's shoulders, bear the burden, have one's hands full, be in the hands of, be on the stocks, be on the anvil, pass through one's hands, Adj, businesslike, workaday, professional, official, functional, busy, on hand, in hand, in one's hands, afoot, on foot, on the anvil, going on, acting, Adv, in the course of business, all in one's day's work, professionally.
VB imitate, copy, mirror, reflect, reproduce, repeat, do like, echo, reecho, catch, transcribe, match, parallel, mock, take off, mimic, ape, simulate, impersonate, personate, act, represent, counterfeit, parody, travesty, caricature, lampoon, burlesque, follow in the steps of, tread in the steps, follow in the footsteps of, follow in the wake of, take pattern by, follow suit, follow the example of, walk in the shoes of, take a leaf out of another's book, strike in with, follow suit, take after, model after, emulate.
N action, performance, doing perpetration, exercise, excitation, movement, operation, evolution, work, labor, praxis, execution, procedure, handicraft, business, agency, deed, act, overt act, stitch, touch, gest transaction, job, doings, dealings, proceeding, measure, step, maneuver, bout, passage, move, stroke, blow, coup, coup de main, coup d'etat, tour de force, feat, exploit, achievement, handiwork, workmanship, manufacture, stroke of policy, actor, doing, acting, in action, in harness, on duty, in operation, in the act, in the midst of, in the thick of, red-handed, in flagrante delicto, while one's hand is in, action is eloquence, actions speak louder than words, actum aiunt ne agas, awake, arise, or be forever fall'n, dii pia facta vident, faire sans dire, fare fac, fronte capillata post est occasio calva, our deeds are sometimes better than our thoughts, the great end of life is not knowledge but action, thought is the soul of act, vivre-ce nest pas respirer c'est agir, we live in deeds not years.
VB do, perform, execute, achieve, transact, enact, commit, perpetrate, inflict, exercise, prosecute, carry on, work, practice, play, employ oneself, ply one's task, officiate, have in hand, labor, be at work, pursue a course, shape one's course, act, operate, take action, take steps, strike a blow, lift a finger, stretch forth one's hand, take in hand, put oneself in motion, put in practice, carry into execution, act upon, be an actor, take a part in, act a part in, play a part in, perform a part in, participate in, have a hand in, have a finger in the pie, have to do with, be a party to, be a participator in, bear a hand, lend a hand, pull an oar, run in a race, mix oneself up with, be in action, come into operation.
N precept, direction, instruction, charge, prescript, prescription, recipe, receipt, golden rule, maxim, rule, canon, law, code, corpus juris, lex scripta, act, statute, rubric, stage direction, regulation, form, formula, formulary, technicality, canon law, norm, order.
N command, order, ordinance, act, fiat, hukm, bidding, dictum, hest, behest, call, beck, nod, despatch, dispatch, message, direction, injunction, charge, instructions, appointment, fixture, demand, exaction, imposition, requisition, claim, reclamation, revendication, ultimatum, request, requirement, dictation, dictate, mandate, caveat, decree, senatus consultum, precept, prescript, rescript, writ, ordination, bull, ex cathedra pronouncement, edict, decretal, dispensation, prescription, brevet, placit, ukase, ukaz, firman, hatti- sherif, warrant, passport, mittimus, mandamus, summons, subpoena, nisi prius, interpellation, citation, word, word of command, mot d'ordre, bugle call, trumpet call, beat of drum, tattoo, order of the day, enactment, plebiscite, commanding, authoritative, decretory, decretive, decretal, callable, jussive, in a commanding tone, by a stroke of the pen, by a dash of the pen, by order, at beat of drum, on the first summons, the decree is gone forth, sic volo sic jubeo, le Roi le veut, boutez en avant.
VB be in action, operate, work, act, act upon, perform, play, support, sustain, strain, maintain, take effect, quicken, strike, come play, come bring into operation, have play, have free play, bring to bear upon.
VB copy, drawing, sketch, drought, draft, plot, chart, figure, scheme, image, likeness, icon, portrait, striking likeness, speaking likeness, very image, effigy, facsimile, figure, figure head, puppet, doll, figurine, aglet, manikin, lay- figure, model, mammet, marionette, fantoccini, waxwork, bust, statue, statuette, ideograph, hieroglyphic, anaglyph, kanji, diagram, monogram, map, plan, chart, ground plan, projection, elevation (plan), ichnography, cartography, atlas, outline, scheme, view, radiograph, scotograph, sciagraph, spectrogram, heliogram, V, represent, delineate, depict, depicture, portray, take a likeness, catch a likeness, hit off, photograph, daguerreotype, snapshot, figure, shadow forth, shadow out, adumbrate, body forth, describe, trace, copy, mold, dress up, illustrate, symbolize, paint, carve, engrave, personate, personify, impersonate, assume a character, pose as, act, play, mimic, hold the mirror up to nature.
act as, act for, act involuntarily, act like, act of god, act of terrorism, act on, act out, act reflexively, act superior, act up, act upon, chinese exclusion act, class act, create by mental act, enabling act, fair-trade act, foreign intelligence surveillance act, legislative act, occupational safety and health act, overt act, racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act, read the riot act, rico act, riot act, ripper act, sex act, special act, speech act, stamp act, terrorist act, workmen's compensation act