Act Meaning and Definition from WordNet (r) 2.0

act n
1. a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body [syn: enactment]
2. something that people do or cause to happen [syn: human action, human activity]
3. a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
4. 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" [syn: routine, number, turn, bit]
5. a manifestation of insincerity; "he put on quite an act for her benefit" v
6. 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" [syn: move] [ant: refrain]
7. 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" [syn: behave, do]
8. 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" [syn: play, represent]
9. discharge one's duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?"
10. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad" [syn: play, act as]
11. be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts well"
12. 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 only if you take it with a lot of water" [syn: work]
13. be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
14. behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting" [syn:

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* Presidents quickly realize that while a single act might destroy the world they live in, no one single decision can make life suddenly better or can turn history around for good. - Lyndon B. Johnson

* All conservatives are such from personal defects. They have been effeminated by position or nature, born halt and blind, through luxury of their parents, and can only, like invalids, act on the defensive. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

* Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. - Scott Adams


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