Act

That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.

The result of public deliberation; the decision or determination of a legislative body, council, court of justice, etc.; a decree, edit, law, judgment, resolve, award; as, an act of Parliament, or of Congress.

A formal solemn writing, expressing that something has been done.

A performance of part of a play; one of the principal divisions of a play or dramatic work in which a certain definite part of the action is completed.

A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.

A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.

Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).

To move to action; to actuate; to animate.

To perform; to execute; to do.

To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.

To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.

To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.

To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.

To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth energy; to move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry into effect a determination of the will.

To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know not why he has acted so.

To perform on the stage; to represent a character.

a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body

perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in ‘Julius Caesar’"; "I played in ‘A Christmas Carol’"

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"

pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"

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"