From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
act
n 1: a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a
committee or society or legislative body [syn: act,
enactment]
2: something that people do or cause to happen [syn: act,
deed, human action, human activity]
3: a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
4: 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" [syn: act, routine, number, turn, bit]
5: a manifestation of insincerity; "he put on quite an act for
her benefit"
v 1: 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" [syn: act, move] [ant: forbear,
refrain]
2: 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" [syn:
act, behave, do]
3: 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" [syn: act,
play, represent]
4: discharge one's duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what
capacity are you acting?"
5: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted
the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad" [syn:
act, play, act as]
6: be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts
well"
7: 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 if you take it with a lot of water" [syn: work,
act]
8: be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose
other than pleasure
9: behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting" [syn:
dissemble, pretend, act]
10: perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He
acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
[syn: act, play, roleplay, playact]