act

English Dictionary -> Letter A -> act

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act Definition

(n) a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
(n) something that people do or cause to happen
(n) a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
(n) 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"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did"
(n) a manifestation of insincerity; "he put on quite an act for her benefit"
(v) perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "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"
(v) 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"; "What makes her do this way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people"
(v) play a role or part; "Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"; "She played the servant to her husband''s master"
(v) discharge one''s duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?"
(v) pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
(v) be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts well"
(v) 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?"; "This method doesn''t work"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works on
(v) be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
(v) behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She''s just acting"
(v) perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar''"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol''"

act Synonyms