ækt 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). øact
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. øøactable adj. (in
sense 5 of v.). actability n. (in sense 5 of v.). [ME ult. f. L agere actdo]