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Act   /ækt/   Listen
Act

noun
1.
A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body.  Synonym: enactment.
2.
Something that people do or cause to happen.  Synonyms: deed, human action, human activity.
3.
A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet.
4.
A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program.  Synonyms: bit, number, routine, turn.  "She had a catchy little routine" , "It was one of the best numbers he ever did"
5.
A manifestation of insincerity.
verb
(past & past part. acted; pres. part. acting)
1.
Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action).  Synonym: move.  "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"
2.
Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself.  Synonyms: behave, do.  "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.  Synonyms: play, represent.  "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.  "In what capacity are you acting?"
5.
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind.  Synonyms: act as, play.  "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
6.
Be suitable for theatrical performance.
7.
Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected.  Synonym: work.  "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"
8.
Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure.
9.
Behave unnaturally or affectedly.  Synonyms: dissemble, pretend.
10.
Perform on a stage or theater.  Synonyms: play, playact, roleplay.  "He acted in 'Julius Caesar'" , "I played in 'A Christmas Carol'"



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WordNet 3.0 © 2010 Princeton University








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"Act" Quotes from Famous Books



... whether CIPA is severable from the remainder of the statutes governing LSTA and E-rate funding. Neither party, however, has advanced the argument that CIPA is not severable from the remainder the Library Services and Technology Act and Communications Act of 1934 (the two statutes governing LSTA and E-rate funding, respectively), and at all events, we think that CIPA is severable. "The inquiry into whether a statute is severable is essentially an inquiry into legislative intent." ...
— Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Ruling • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

... thus to claim for our northern brothers some forbearance and a little genuine sympathy, because we have to record that their first act on arriving was to fly to the cooking-lamps, and commence a feast which extended far into the night, and ...
— Red Rooney - The Last of the Crew • R.M. Ballantyne

... I am here by accident. I was lost on the river bank, a long distance back, and a strange lad helped me so far. I don't see him now, and I'm rather frightened about him, for he fell into the water, getting me this nest. He doesn't act just like other people, ...
— Reels and Spindles - A Story of Mill Life • Evelyn Raymond

... warmly approved, and Florence forgot herself in her absorbing interest. But between the acts the thought of her miserable schoolgirl essay came back to haunt her. Just before the curtain rose for the final act she touched Franks ...
— The Time of Roses • L. T. Meade

... never heard any melody equal to that, either before or since. And when I was most charmed with listening to the birds, lo! a chiding voice was heard of one approaching me, and saying: 'O knight, what has brought thee hither? What evil have I done to thee, that thou shouldst act toward me and my possessions as thou hast this day? Dost thou not know that the shower to-day has left in my dominions neither man nor beast alive that was exposed to it?' And thereupon, behold, a knight on a black horse appeared, clothed in jet-black velvet, and with ...
— The Junior Classics, V4 • Willam Patten (Editor)


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