act

Definitions

1. 1noun

   That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.

2. 2noun

   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.

3. 3noun

   A formal solemn writing, expressing that something has been done.

4. 4noun

   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.

5. 5noun

   A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.

6. 6noun

   A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.

7. 7noun

   Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).

8. 8transitive verb

   To move to action; to actuate; to animate.

9. 9transitive verb

   To perform; to execute; to do.

10. 10transitive verb

    To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.

11. 11transitive verb

    To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.

12. 12transitive verb

    To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.

13. 13intransitive verb

    To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.

14. 14intransitive verb

    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.

15. 15intransitive verb

    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.

16. 16intransitive verb

    To perform on the stage; to represent a character.

17. 17noun

    something that people do or cause to happen

    Synonyms

    deed
18. 18noun

    a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body

    Synonyms

    enactment
19. 19noun

    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"

    Synonyms

    bitnumberroutineturn
20. 20noun

    a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet

21. 21noun

    a manifestation of insincerity

    "he put on quite an act for her benefit"

22. 22verb

    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"

    Synonyms

    behavedo
23. 23verb

    pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

    "He acted the idiot"

    "She plays deaf when the news are bad"

    Synonyms

    play
24. 24verb

    discharge one's duties

    "She acts as the chair"

    "In what capacity are you acting?"

25. 25verb

    play a role or part

    "Gielgud played Hamlet"

    "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"

    Synonyms

    playrepresent
26. 26verb

    perform on a stage or theater

    "She acts in this play"

    "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"

    Synonyms

    playplayactroleplay
27. 27verb

    behave unnaturally or affectedly

    "She's just acting"

    Synonyms

    dissemblepretend
28. 28verb

    perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

    "think before you act"

    "We must move quickly"

    Synonyms

    move
29. 29verb

    be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure

30. 30verb

    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?"

    Synonyms

    work
31. 31verb

    be suitable for theatrical performance

    "This scene acts well"