act

act

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "act" is /ækt/.

• /æk/ - first syllable (not a standalone syllable in English, but represents the vowel and first consonant sound)

• /t/ - second sound (the final consonant sound)

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Word Form Variations

Noun:

• Singular: act

• Plural: acts

Verb:

• Base form: act

• Third-person singular present: acts

• Present participle: acting

• Past simple: acted

• Past participle: acted

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: A discrete action or deed performed by an individual or group.

• Synonyms: deed, action, performance, feat, maneuver

• Antonyms: inaction, idleness, passivity, thought

• Definition 2: A specific law, statute, or formal decision made by a legislative body.

• Synonyms: law, statute, decree, ruling, edict

• Antonyms: repeal, nullification, proposal, suggestion

• Definition 3: One of the main divisions of a play, opera, or ballet.

• Synonyms: segment, scene, part, division

• Antonyms: whole, entirety, prelude, epilogue

• Definition 4: A performance or display, often intended for entertainment.

• Synonyms: performance, show, routine, turn, stunt

• Antonyms: reality, genuine article, sincerity

Verb

• Definition 1: To perform an action; to do something.

• Synonyms: do, perform, execute, operate, behave

• Antonyms: refrain, cease, desist, abstain, rest

• Definition 2: To behave in a particular way.

• Synonyms: behave, conduct oneself, function, operate

• Antonyms: neglect, ignore, disregard, be still

• Definition 3: To play a role in a theatrical production, film, or television show.

• Synonyms: perform, portray, play, impersonate, represent

• Antonyms: spectate, watch, direct, write

• Definition 4: To take effect or have an influence.

• Synonyms: affect, influence, work, operate, function

• Antonyms: fail, cease, be inert, be ineffective

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "It was a solitary act, a personal decision that would forever alter the course of her life." (From a work of fiction, illustrating a personal deed)

• "The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin." (Explaining a legal statute)

• Newspapers:

• "The city council voted to approve a new act aimed at curbing plastic waste." (Describing a new law or ordinance)

• "Local volunteers performed a generous act of kindness by cleaning up the community park." (Referring to a charitable deed)

• Online Publications:

• "How to Act Professionally in a Remote Work Environment" (Forbes, May 2024 - Advising on behavior)

• "The Latest Act in the Semiconductor Wars" (The Wall Street Journal, June 2024 - Referring to a stage or phase of an ongoing event)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "He's a natural when he acts; his performances are always so compelling." (Referring to the skill of playing a role)

• Television: "In the final act of the season finale, the villain's true motives were revealed." (Referring to a major division of a story)

• Music: "The band's opening act really got the crowd energized." (Referring to a performing group)

• Social Media: "That was a brave act of defiance in the face of adversity." (Referring to a courageous deed)

• General Public Discourse:

• "You need to act quickly if you want to catch that train." (Urging immediate action)

• "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about." (Challenging someone's feigned ignorance)

• "It was an act of God that saved us from the storm." (Referring to an unforeseeable event, often implying divine intervention)

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10 Quotes Using Act

1. "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." (Will Durant, paraphrasing Aristotle)

2. "Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you." (Thomas Jefferson)

3. "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." (Aesop)

4. "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." (Albert Camus)

5. "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." (Anatole France)

6. "Think in the morning. Act in the noon. Eat in the evening. Sleep in the night." (William Blake)

7. "Be great in act, as you have been in thought." (William Shakespeare)

8. "The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity." (Amelia Earhart)

9. "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act." (George Orwell)

10. "Life was always a matter of waiting for the right moment to act." (Paulo Coelho)

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Etymology

The word "act" has a long history, tracing its roots all the way back to Latin.

It primarily comes from the Latin word "agere," which meant "to do," "to drive," or "to set in motion." From "agere," we get two key Latin forms that influenced "act":

• "actus": This was a noun meaning "a doing," "a driving," "an impulse," or even "a part in a play."

• "actum": This was another noun, often used in the plural "acta," meaning "a thing done," "a deed," or "a decree/law." This form was originally a legal term.

These Latin words then traveled into Old French as "acte" and eventually into Middle English as "acte."

The first known uses of "act" in English, dating back to the late 14th century, referred to:

• "A thing done" or "a deed." This is the core meaning that has largely remained.

• A legal text or a record of an Act of Parliament. This shows its early connection to formal decrees and laws, directly from the Latin legal usage.

Over time, the word expanded to include its various meanings we use today, like a division of a play, a performance, or even just behaving in a certain way. But at its heart, "act" has always been about "doing" or "something that has been done."

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Act

• Act up: To behave badly, malfunction, or cause trouble.

• Act out: To express inner feelings, often negative, in behavior; to behave badly.

• Act on/upon: To take action based on something (information, advice, etc.).

• Act as if/though: To behave in a way that suggests something is true, often when it isn't.

• Act the part: To behave in a manner appropriate to a specific role or situation.

• Get one's act together: To organize oneself and one's affairs; to become more effective.

• Caught in the act: Discovered in the middle of doing something, usually something wrong.

• A tough act to follow: Something or someone so good that subsequent attempts will seem inferior.

• An act of God: An event outside of human control, such as a natural disaster.

• Put on an act: To pretend or to feign emotions or behavior.

• In the act of: While in the process of doing something.

• Clean up one's act: To improve one's behavior or performance.

• A balancing act: A situation where one tries to maintain equilibrium between two or more conflicting elements.

• Go into the act: To join in or participate in something.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of act from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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