Main Entry:

¹act

Pronunciation:

\ˈakt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, partly from Latin actus doing, act, from agere to drive, do; partly from Latin actum thing done, record, from neuter of actus, past participle of agere — more at agent

Date:

14th century

1 a: the doing of a thing : deed b: something done voluntarily2: a state of real existence rather than possibility3: the formal product of a legislative body : statute ; also : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice4: the process of doing : action <caught in the act>5often capitalized : a formal record of something done or transacted6: one of the principal divisions of a theatrical work (as a play or opera)7 a: one of successive parts or performances (as in a variety show or circus) b: the performer or performers in such an act c: a performance or presentation identified with a particular individual or group d: the sum of a person's actions or effects that serve to create an impression or set an example <a hard act to follow>8: a display of affected behavior : pretense

— into the act or in on the act

: into an undertaking or situation as an active participant