Etymology: Middle English accioun, from Anglo-French accion, from Latin action-, actio, from agere to do — more at agent
Date: 14th century
1: the initiating of a proceeding in a court of justice by which one demands or enforces one's right; also: the proceeding itself 2: the bringing about of an alteration by force or through a natural agency 3: the manner or method of performing: a: an actor's or speaker's deportment or expression by means of attitude, voice, and gesture b: the style of movement of the feet and legs (as of a horse) c: a function of the body or one of its parts 4: an act of will 5 a: a thing done :deedb: the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition cplural:behavior, conduct<unscrupulous actions>d:initiative, enterprise<a man of action> 6 a (1): an engagement between troops or ships (2): combat in war <gallantry in action>b (1): an event or series of events forming a literary composition (2): the unfolding of the events of a drama or work of fiction :plot(3): the movement of incidents in a plot c: the combination of circumstances that constitute the subject matter of a painting or sculpture 7 a: an operating mechanism b: the manner in which a mechanism or instrument operates 8 a: the price movement and trading volume of a commodity, security, or market b: the process of betting including the offering and acceptance of a bet and determination of a winner c: financial gain or an opportunity for financial gain <a piece of the action> 9: sexual activity 10: the most vigorous, productive, or exciting activity in a particular field, area, or group <wants to be where the action is>
