act

Meaning

1. Something done, a deed.
2. (obsolete) Actuality.
3. Something done once and for all, as distinguished from a work.
4. A product of a legislative body, a statute.
5. The process of doing something.
6. A formal or official record of something done.
7. A division of a theatrical performance.
8. A performer or performers in a show.
9. Any organized activity.
10. A display of behaviour.
11. A display of behaviour.
12. A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.
13. Ellipsis of act of parliament.

deed

action

conduct oneself

act as

exert influence

human activity

human action

have an effect

comport

play the part of

pose as

raree-show

work done

make use of

play the role

one’s doing

hold an office

play the part

bestir oneself

Australian Capital Territory

appear to be

carry out duties

perform an action

perform some functions

represent on the stage

written document

pursue an occupation

speculate in stocks

actor

work about

substitute for

switch over

bring to pass

peform some action

play role

action event

act of Parliament

be active

be effective

be efficacious

be in operation

busy oneself

canberra

d?d

get worked up

have effect

law and decree

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ækt/

From Middle English acte, from Old French acte, from Latin ācta (“register of events”), plural of āctum (“decree, law”), from agere (“to do, to act”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti. Compare German Akte (“file”). Partially displaced deed, from Old English dǣd (“act, deed”).