Main Entry: ²act

Function: verb

Date: 1590

transitive verb

1 obsolete : actuate, animate
2 a : to represent or perform by action especially on the stage b : feign, simulate c : impersonate
3 : to play the part of as if in a play <act the man of the world>
4 : to behave in a manner suitable to <act your age>intransitive verb 1 a : to perform on the stage b : to behave as if performing on the stage : pretend
2 : to take action : move <think before acting> <acted favorably on the recommendation>
3 : to conduct oneself : behave <act like a fool>
4 : to perform a specified function : serve <trees acting as a windbreak>
5 : to produce an effect : work <wait for a medicine to act>
6 of a play : to be capable of being performed <the play acts well>
7 : to give a decision or award <adjourned without acting on the bill>

— act·abil·i·ty \ˌak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— act·able \ˈak-tə-bəl\ adjective