Main Entry:

²act

Function:

verb

Date:

1590

transitive verb

1obsolete : actuate, animate2 a: to represent or perform by action especially on the stage b: feign, simulate c: impersonate3: 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 verb1 a: to perform on the stage b: to behave as if performing on the stage : pretend2: 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>6of 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