Main entry: human action, human activity, deed, act
Definition: something that people do or cause to happen
Definition: a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
Main entry: turn, act, bit, number, routine
Definition: a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
Usage: he did his act three times every evening; she had a catchy little routine; it was one of the best numbers he ever did
Main entry: act
Definition: a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
Main entry: act
Definition: a manifestation of insincerity
Usage: he put on quite an act for her benefit
Definition: behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
Usage: 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
Definition: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
Usage: He acted the idiot; She plays deaf when the news are bad
Main entry: act
Definition: discharge one's duties
Usage: She acts as the chair; In what capacity are you acting?
Main entry: represent, play, act
Definition: play a role or part
Usage: 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
Main entry: act, play, playact, roleplay
Definition: perform on a stage or theater
Usage: She acts in this play; He acted in `Julius Caesar'; I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Main entry: dissemble, pretend, act
Definition: behave unnaturally or affectedly
Usage: She's just acting
Definition: perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Usage: 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
Main entry: act
Definition: be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
Definition: have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
Usage: 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 if you take it with a lot of water
Main entry: act
Definition: be suitable for theatrical performance
Usage: This scene acts well