ˈæktɪv adj. & n. --adj. 1 a consisting in or
marked by
action;
energetic;
diligent (leads an active
life; an active helper). b
able to
move about or
accomplish practical tasks (infirmity
made him less active). 2
working,
operative (an active volcano). 3 originating action;
not merely
passive or
inert (active
support; active ingredients). 4
radioactive. 5 Gram. designating
the voice that attributes the action of a
verb to the
person or
thing from which it logically
proceeds (e.g. of the verbs in guns
kill; we saw him). --n. Gram. the active
form or voice of a verb. øactive
carbon = activated carbon (see ACTIVATE). active list
Mil. a list of officers
available for service. active service full-time service in the armed forces. øøactively adv. activeness n. [ME f. OF actif
-ive or L activus (as
ACT v.)]