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 voluntarily
2 : a state of real existence rather than possibility
3 : the formal product of a legislative body : statute; also : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice
4 : the process of doing : action <caught in the act>
5 often capitalized : a formal record of something done or transacted
6 : 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