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/akt/, n.1. anything done, being done, or to be done; deed; performance: a heroic act.2. the process of doing: caught in the act.3. a formal decision, law, or the like, by a legislature, ruler, court, or other authority; decree or edict; statute; judgment, resolve, or award: an act of Congress.4. an instrument or document stating something done or transacted.5. one of the main divisions of a play or opera: the second act of Hamlet.6. a short performance by one or more entertainers, usually part of a variety show or radio or television program.7. the personnel of such a group: The act broke up after 30 years.8. false show; pretense; feint: The politician's pious remarks were all an act.9. Philos. (in scholasticism)a. activity in process; operation.b. the principle or power of operation.c. form as determining essence.d. a state of realization, as opposed to potentiality.10. clean up one's act, Informal. to begin adhering to more acceptable practices, rules of behavior, etc.: The factory must clean up its act and treat its employees better.11. get or have one's act together, Informal. to organize one's time, job, resources, etc., so as to function efficiently: The new administration is still getting its act together.v.i.12. to do something; exert energy or force; be employed or operative: He acted promptly in the emergency.13. to reach, make, or issue a decision on some matter: I am required to act before noon tomorrow.14. to operate or function in a particular way; perform specific duties or functions: to act as manager.15. to produce an effect; perform a function: The medicine failed to act.16. to behave or conduct oneself in a particular fashion: to act well under all conditions.17. to pretend; feign: Act interested even if you're bored.18. to perform as an actor: He acted in three plays by Molière.19. to be capable of being performed: His plays don't act well.20. to serve or substitute (usually fol. by for): In my absence the assistant manager will act for me.v.t.21. to represent (a fictitious or historical character) with one's person: to act Macbeth.22. to feign; counterfeit: to act outraged virtue.23. to behave as: He acted the fool.24. Obs. to actuate.25. act funny, to display eccentric or suspicious behavior.26. act on or upon,a. to act in accordance with; follow: He acted on my advice.b. to have an effect on; affect: The stirring music acted on the emotions of the audience.27. act one's age, to behave in a manner appropriate to one's maturity: We children enjoyed our uncle because he didn't always act his age.28. act out,a. to demonstrate or illustrate by pantomime or by words and gestures: The party guests acted out stories for one another.b. Psychol. to give overt expression to (repressed emotions or impulses) without insightful understanding: The patients acted out early traumas by getting angry with the analyst.29. act up,a. to fail to function properly; malfunction: The vacuum cleaner is acting up again.b. to behave willfully: The children always act up in school the day before a holiday.c. to become painful or troublesome, esp. after a period of improvement or remission: My arthritis is acting up again this morning.[1350-1400; ME act(e) ( < MF) < L acta, pl. of ACTUM something done, n. use of ptp. of agere to do (ag- ptp. s. + -tum neut. ptp. suffix); and directly < L actus a doing (ag- + -tus suffix of v. action)]Syn. 1. feat, exploit; achievement; transaction; accomplishment. See action. 4. record. 6. turn, routine. 11-15. perform, function, work. 17, 18. play.
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(as used in expressions)sacramental actConstitution ActDawes Severalty ActServicemen's Readjustment ActKansas Nebraska ActLand Grant College Act of 1862Landrum Griffin ActSettlement Act ofSmoot Hawley Tariff ActSupremacy Act ofTaft Hartley ActLabor Management Relations ActUnion Act of* * *
Universalium. 2010.
