Definition of act - WordReference.com Dictionary

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act:	in Spanish \| in French \| in Italian in context \| images

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Adapted From: WordNet 2.0 Copyright 2003 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

act
A	noun
	1	act, human action, human activity
			something that people do or cause to happen

	2	act, enactment
			a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
		Category Tree: abstraction ╚relation ╚social relation ╚communication ╚written communication; written language ╚writing; written material; piece of writing ╚document; written document; papers ╚legal document; legal instrument; official document; instrument ╚act, enactment ╚legislative act; statute ╚decree; edict; fiat; order; rescript
	3	act, routine, number, turn, bit
			a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program; "he did his act three times every evening"; "she had a catchy little routine"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did"
		Category Tree: event ╚social event ╚show ╚performance; public presentation ╚act, routine, number, turn, bit ╚show-stopper; showstopper; stopper
	4	act
			a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
		Category Tree: abstraction ╚relation ╚social relation ╚communication ╚written communication; written language ╚writing; written material; piece of writing ╚dramatic composition; dramatic work ╚act
	5	act
			a manifestation of insincerity; "he put on quite an act for her benefit"
		Category Tree: abstraction ╚relation ╚social relation ╚communication ╚visual communication ╚demonstration; demo ╚expression; manifestation; reflection; reflexion ╚act
B	verb
	1	act, behave, do
			behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; "You should act like an adult"; "Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people"

	2	act, play, act as
			pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
		Category Tree: act; behave; do ╚act, play, act as
	3	act
			discharge one's duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?"
		Category Tree: work; do work ╚serve ╚act ╚bank ╚criticize; criticise
	4	act, play, represent
			play a role or part; "Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"; "She played the servant to her husband's master"
		Category Tree: make; create ╚re-create ╚act, play, represent ╚make; pretend; make believe
	5	act, play, roleplay, playact
			perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
		Category Tree: make; create ╚re-create ╚perform ╚act, play, roleplay, playact
	6	dissemble, pretend, act
			behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting"

	7	act, move
			perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"

	8	act
			be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure

	9	work, act
			have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected; "The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought"; "How does your idea work in practice?"; "This method doesn't work"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works only
		Category Tree: succeed; win; come through; bring home the bacon; deliver the goods ╚work, act
	10	act
			be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts well"
		Category Tree: be ╚act

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