Meaning of 'act'

Meaning of 'act' (Webster Dictionary)

1. Act

[ n.]

- That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.
- The result of public deliberation; the decision or determination of a legislative body, council, court of justice, etc.; a decree, edit, law, judgment, resolve, award; as, an act of Parliament, or of Congress.
- A formal solemn writing, expressing that something has been done.
- A performance of part of a play; one of the principal divisions of a play or dramatic work in which a certain definite part of the action is completed.
- A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.
- A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.
- Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).

2. Act

[ v. i.]

- To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.
- 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.
- 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.
- To perform on the stage; to represent a character.

3. Act

[ v. t.]

- To move to action; to actuate; to animate.
- To perform; to execute; to do.
- To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.
- To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.
- To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.

Meaning of 'act' (Princeton's WordNet)

1. act

[ n]

Meaning (1):
- a short performance that is part of a longer program

Example in sentence:

he did his act three times every evening;
it was one of the best numbers he ever did;
she had a catchy little routine

Meaning (2):
- a manifestation of insincerity

Example in sentence:

he put on quite an act for her benefit

2. act

[ v]

Meaning (3):
- play a role or part

Example in sentence:

Gielgud played Hamlet;
She played the servant to her husband's master;
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role

Meaning (4):
- pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Example in sentence:

He acted the idiot;
She plays deaf when the news are bad

Meaning (5):
- discharge one's duties

Example in sentence:

In what capacity are you acting?;
She acts as the chair

Meaning (6):
- perform on a stage or theater

Example in sentence:

He acted in `Julius Caesar';
I played in `A Christmas Carol';
She acts in this play

Meaning (7):
- behave unnaturally or affectedly

Example in sentence:

She's just acting

Meaning (8):
- have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected

Example in sentence:

How does your idea work in practice?;
The breaks of my new car act quickly;
The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water;
The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought;
This method doesn't work

Meaning (9):
- perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

Example in sentence:

The governor should act on the new energy bill;
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel;
think before you act;
We must move quickly

Meaning (10):
- be suitable for theatrical performance

Example in sentence:

This scene acts well

Meaning (11):
- behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

Example in sentence:

Don't behave like a fool;
The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people;
What makes her do this way?;
You should act like an adult

Definition

Meaning of 'act'

Meaning of 'act' (Webster Dictionary)

Meaning of 'act' (Princeton's WordNet)

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