AÏcid¶ic (#), a. (Min.) Containing a high percentage of silica; Ð opposed to basic. <ÐÐ 2. of or relating to acid; having the character of an acid, as an acidic solution. ÐÐ>
Ac·idÏif¶erÏous (#), a. [L. acidus sour + Ïferous.] Containing or yielding an acid.
AÏcid¶iÏfi·aÏble (#), a. Capable of being acidified, or converted into an acid.
Ac·idÏif¶ic (#), a. Producing acidity; converting into an acid.
Dana.
AÏcid·iÏfiÏca¶tion (#), n. [Cf. F. acidification.] The act or process of acidifying, or changing into an acid.
AÏcid¶iÏfi·er (#), n. (Chem.) A simple or compound principle, whose presence is necessary to produce acidity, as oxygen, chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc.
AÏcid¶iÏfy (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acidified (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Acidifying (#). [L. acidus sour, acid + Ïfly: cf. F. acidifier.] 1. To make acid; to convert into an acid; as, to acidify sugar.
2. To sour; to imbitter.
His thin existence all acidified into rage.
Carlyle.
Ac·idÏim¶eÏter (#), n. [L. acidus acid + Ïmeter.] (Chem.) An instrument for ascertaining the strength of acids.
Ure.
Ac·idÏim¶eÏtry (#), n. [L. acidus acid + Ïmetry.] (Chem.) The measurement of the strength of acids, especially by a chemical process based on the law of chemical combinations, or the fact that, to produce a complete reaction, a certain definite weight of reagent is required. Ð Ac·idÏiÏmet¶ricÏal (#), a.
AÏcid¶iÏty (#), n. [L. acidites, fr. acidus: cf. F. acidit‚. See Acid.] The quality of being sour; sourness; tartness; sharpness to the taste; as, the acidity of lemon juice.
Ac¶idÏly (#), adv. Sourly; tartly.
Ac¶idÏness (#), n. Acidity; sourness.
AÏcid¶uÏlate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acidulated (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Acidulating (#).] [Cf. F. aciduler. See Acidulous.] To make sour or acid in a moderate degree; to sour somewhat.
Arbuthnot.
AÏcid¶uÏlent (#), a. Having an acid quality; sour; acidulous. ½With anxious, acidulent face.¸
Carlyle.
AÏcid¶uÏlous (#), a. [L. acidulus, dim. of acidus. See Acid.] Slightly sour; subÐacid; sourish; as, an acidulous tincture.
E. Burke.
Acidulous mineral waters, such as contain carbonic anhydride.
Ac·iÏerÏage (#), n. [F. aci‚rage, fr. acier steel.] The process of coating the surface of a metal plate (as a stereotype plate) with steellike iron by means of voltaic electricity; steeling.
Ac¶iÏform (#), a. [L. acus needle + Ïform.] Shaped like a needle.
Ac¶iÏna¶ceous (#), a. [L. acinus a grape, grapestone.] (Bot.) Containing seeds or stones of grapes, or grains like them.
Ø AÏcin¶aÏces (#), n. [L., from Gr. ?.] (Anc. Hist.) A short sword or saber.
Ac·iÏnac¶iÏform (#), a. [L. acinaces a short sword + Ïform: cf. F. acinaciforme.] (Bot.) ScimeterÐshaped; as, an acinaciform leaf.
Ø Ac·iÏne¶siÏa (#), n. (Med.) Same as Akinesia.
Ø Ac·iÏne¶t‘ (#), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? immovable.] (Zo”l.) A group of suctorial Infusoria, which in the adult stage are stationary. See Suctoria.
Ac·iÏnet¶iÏform (#), a. [Acinet‘ + Ïform.] (Zo”l.) Resembling the Acinet‘.
AÏcin¶iÏform (#), a. [L. acinus a grape, grapestone + Ïform: cf. F. acinoforme.] 1. Having the form of a cluster of grapes; clustered like grapes.
2. Full of small kernels like a grape.
Ac¶iÏnose· (#), Ac¶iÏnous (#) } a. [L. acinosus, fr. acinus grapestone.] Consisting of acini, or minute granular concretions; as, acinose or acinous glands.
Kirwan.
p. 16
Ø Ac¶iÏnus (#), n.; pl. Acini (#). [L., grape, grapestone.] 1. (Bot.) (a) One of the small grains or drupelets which make up some kinds of fruit, as the blackberry, raspberry, etc. (b) A grapestone.
2. (Anat.) One of the granular masses which constitute a racemose or compound gland, as the pancreas; also, one of the saccular recesses in the lobules of a racemose gland.
Quain.
Ø Ac·iÏpen¶ser (#), n. [L., the name of a fish.] (Zo”l.) A genus of ganoid fishes, including the sturgeons, having the body armed with bony scales, and the mouth on the under side of the head. See Sturgeon.
Ac¶iÏur·gy (#), n. [Gr. ? a point + ? work.] Operative surgery.
AcÏknow¶ (#), v. t. [Pref. aÏ + know; AS. oncn¾wan.] 1. To recognize. [Obs.] ½You will not be acknown, sir.¸
B. Jonson.
2. To acknowledge; to confess. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
To be acknown (often with of or on), to acknowledge; to confess. [Obs.]
We say of a stubborn body that standeth still in the denying of his fault. This man will now acknowledge his fault, or, He will not be acknown of his fault.
Sir T. More.
AcÏknowl¶edge (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acknowledged (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Acknowledging (#).] [Prob. fr. pref. aÏ + the verb knowledge. See Knowledge, and ci. Acknow.] 1. To of or admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a God.
I acknowledge my transgressions.
Ps. li. 3.
For ends generally acknowledged to be good.
Macaulay.
2. To own or recognize in a particular character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him.
Prov. iii. 6.
By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee.
Shak.
3. To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter.
They his gifts acknowledged none.
Milton.
4. To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledgea deed.
Syn. Ð To avow; proclaim; recognize; own; admit; allow; concede; confess. Ð Acknowledge, Recognize. Acknowledge is opposed to keep back, or conceal, and supposes that something had been previously known to us (though perhaps not to others) which we now feel bound to lay open or make public. Thus, a man acknowledges a secret marriage; one who has done wrong acknowledges his fault; and author acknowledge his obligation to those who have aided him; we acknowledge our ignorance. Recognize supposes that we have either forgotten or not had the evidence of a thing distinctly before our minds, but that now we know it (as it were) anew, or receive and admit in on the ground of the evidence it brings. Thus, we recognize a friend after a long absence. We recognize facts, principles, truths, etc., when their evidence is brought up fresh to the mind; as, bad men usually recognize the providence of God in seasons of danger. A foreign minister, consul, or agent, of any kind, is recognized on the ground of his producing satisfactory credentials. See also Confess.
AcÏknowl¶edgedÏly (#), adv. Confessedly.
AcÏknowl¶edgÏer (#), n. One who acknowledges.
AcÏknowl¶edgÏment (#), n. 1. The act of acknowledging; admission; avowal; owning; confession. ½An acknowledgment of fault.¸
Froude.
2. The act of owning or recognized in a particular character or relationship; recognition as regards the existence, authority, truth, or genuineness.
Immediately upon the acknowledgment of the Christian faith, the eunuch was baptized by Philip.
Hooker.
3. The owning of a benefit received; courteous recognition; expression of thanks.
Shak.
4. Something given or done in return for a favor, message, etc.
Smollett.
5. A declaration or avowal of one's own act, to give it legal validity; as, the acknowledgment of a deed before a proper officer. Also, the certificate of the officer attesting such declaration.
Acknowledgment money, in some parts of England, a sum paid by copyhold tenants, on the death of their landlords, as an acknowledgment of their new lords.
Cowell.
Syn. Ð Confession; concession; recognition; admission; avowal; recognizance.
AÏclin¶ic (#), a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? to incline.] (Physics.) Without inclination or dipping; Ð said the magnetic needle balances itself horizontally, having no dip. The aclinic line is also termed the magnetic equator.
Prof. August.
Ac¶me (#), n. [Gr. ? point, top.] 1. The top or highest point; the culmination.
The very acme and pitch of life for epic poetry.
Pope.
The moment when a certain power reaches the acme of its supremacy.
I. Taylor.
2. (Med.) The crisis or height of a disease.
3. Mature age; full bloom of life.
B. Jonson.
Ac¶ne (#), n. [NL., prob. a corruption of Gr. ?] (Med.) A pustular affection of the skin, due to changes in the sebaceous glands.
AcÏno¶dal (#), a. Pertaining to acnodes.
Ac¶node (#), n. [L. acus needle + E. node.] (Geom.) An isolated point not upon a curve, but whose co”rdinates satisfy the equation of the curve so that it is considered as belonging to the curve.
AÏcock¶ (#), adv. [Pref. aÏ + cock.] In a cocked or turned up fashion.
AÏcock¶bill· (#), adv. [Prefix aÏ + cock + bill: with bills cocked up.] (Naut.) (a) Hanging at the cathead, ready to let go, as an anchor. (b) Topped up; having one yardarm higher than the other.
AÏcold¶ (#), a. [Prob. p. p. of OE. acolen to grow cold or cool, AS. ¾c?lian to grow cold; pref. aÏ (cf. Goth. erÏ, orig. meaning out) + c?lian to cool. See Cool.] Cold. [Obs.] ½Poor Tom's acold.¸
Shak.
Ac·oÏlog¶ic (#), a. Pertaining to acology.
AÏcol¶oÏgy (#), n. [Gr. ? remedy + Ïlogy.] Materia medica; the science of remedies.
AÏcol¶oÏthist (#), n. See Acolythist.
Ac·oÏlyc¶tine (#), n. [From the name of the plant.] (Chem.) An organic base, in the form of a white powder, obtained from Aconitum lycoctonum.
Eng. Cyc.
Ac·oÏlyte (#), n. [LL. acolythus, acoluthus, Gr. ? following, attending: cf. F. acolyte.]
1. (Eccl.) One who has received the highest of the four minor orders in the Catholic church, being ordained to carry the wine and water and the lights at the Mass.
2. One who attends; an assistant. ½With such chiefs, and with James and John as acolytes.¸
Motley.
Ac¶oÏlyth (#), n. Same as Acolyte.
AÏcol¶yÏthist (#), n. An acolyte. [Obs.]
AÏcond¶dyÏlose· (#), AÏcon¶dyÏlous (#), } a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? joint.] (Nat. Hist.) Being without joints; jointless.
Ac·oÏni¶tal (#), a. Of the nature of aconite.
Ac¶oÏnite (#), n. [L. aconitum, Gr. ?: cf. F. aconit.] 1. (Bot.) The herb wolfsbane, or monkshood; Ð applied to any plant of the genus Aconitum (tribe Hellebore), all the species of which are poisonous.
2. An extract or tincture obtained from Aconitum napellus, used as a poison and medicinally.
Winter aconite, a plant (Eranthis hyemalis) allied to the aconites.
Ø Ac·oÏni¶tiÏa (#), n. (Chem.) Same as Aconitine.
Ac·oÏnit¶ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to aconite.
AÏcon¶iÏtine (#), n. (Chem.) An intensely poisonous alkaloid, extracted from aconite.
Ø Ac·oÏni¶tum (#), n. [L. See Aconite.] The poisonous herb aconite; also, an extract from it.
Strong
As aconitum or rash gunpowder.
Shak.
Ø AÏcon¶tiÏa (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? a little dart.] (Zo”l.) Threadlike defensive organs, composed largely of nettling cells (cnid‘), thrown out of the mouth or special pores of certain Actini‘ when irritated.
Ø AÏcon¶tiÏas (#), n. [NL., from Gr. ?, fr. ?, dim. ? dart.] (Zo”l.) Anciently, a snake, called dart snake; now, one of a genus of reptiles closely allied to the lizards.
AÏcop¶ic (#), a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? striking. weariness, ? to strike.] (Med.) Relieving weariness; restorative.
Buchanan.
A¶corn (#), n. [AS. ‘cern, fr. ‘cer field, acre; akin to D. aker acorn, Ger. ecker, Icel. akarn, Dan. agern, Goth. akran fruit, akrs field; Ð orig. fruit of the field. See Acre.] 1. The fruit of the oak, being an oval nut growing in a woody cup or cupule.
2. (Naut.) A coneÐshaped piece of wood on the point of the spindle above the vane, on the mastÐhead.
3. (Zo”l.) See AcornÐshell.
A¶corn cup (#). The involucre or cup in which the acorn is fixed.
A¶corned (#), a. 1. Furnished or loaded with acorns.
2. Fed or filled with acorns. [R.]
Shak.
A¶cornÐshell· (#), n. (Zo”l.) One of the sessile cirripeds; a barnacle of the genus Balanus. See Barnacle.
AÏcos¶mism (#), n. [Gr. ? priv. + ? world.] A denial of the existence of the universe as distinct from God.
AÏcos¶mist (#), n. [See Acosmism.] One who denies the existence of the universe, or of a universe as distinct from God.
G. H. Lewes.
AÏcot·yÏle¶don (#; 277), n. [Gr. ? priv. + ? anything cupÐshaped. See Cotyledon.] (Bot.) A plant which has no cotyledons, as the dodder and all flowerless plants.
AÏcot·yÏled¶onÏous (#; 277), a. Having no seed lobes, as the dodder; also applied to plants which have no true seeds, as ferns, mosses, etc.
AÏcou¶chy (#), n. [F. acouchi, from the native name Guiana.] (Zo”l.) A small species of agouti (Dasyprocta acouchy).
AÏcou¶meÏter (#), n. [Gr. ? to hear + Ïmeter.] (Physics.) An instrument for measuring the acuteness of the sense of hearing.
Itard.
AÏcou¶meÏtry (#), n. [Gr. ? to hear + Ïmetry.] The measuring of the power or extent of hearing.
AÏcous¶tic (#; 277), a. [F. acoustique, Gr. ? relating to hearing, fr. ? to hear.] Pertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds; auditory.
Acoustic duct, the auditory duct, or external passage of the ear. Ð Acoustic telegraph, a telegraph making audible signals; a telephone. Ð Acoustic vessels, brazen tubes or vessels, shaped like a bell, used in ancient theaters to propel the voices of the actors, so as to render them audible to a great distance.
AÏcous¶tic, n. A medicine or agent to assist hearing.
AÏcous¶ticÏal (#), a. Of or pertaining to acoustics.
AÏcous¶ticÏalÏly (#), adv. In relation to sound or to hearing.
Tyndall.
Ac·ousÏti¶cian (#), n. One versed in acoustics.
Tyndall.
AÏcous¶tics (#; 277), n. [Names of sciences in Ïics, as, acoustics, mathematics, etc., are usually treated as singular. See Ïics.] (Physics.) The science of sounds, teaching their nature, phenomena, and laws.
Acoustics, then, or the science of sound, is a very considerable branch of physics.
Sir J. Herschel.
µ The science is, by some writers, divided, into diacoustics, which explains the properties of sounds coming directly from the ear; and catacoustica, which treats of reflected sounds or echoes.
AcÏquaint¶ (#), a. [OF. acoint. See Acquaint, v. t.] Acquainted. [Obs. or Archaic]
AcÏquaint¶, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acquainting.] [OE. aqueinten, acointen, OF. acointier, LL. adcognitare, fr. L. ad + cognitus, p. p. of cognoscere to know; conÏ + noscere to know. See Quaint, Know.] 1. To furnish or give experimental knowledge of; to make (one) to know; to make familiar; Ð followed by with.
Before a man can speak on any subject, it is necessary to be acquainted with it.
Locke.
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
Isa. liii. 3.
2. To communicate notice to; to inform; to make cognizant; Ð followed by with (formerly, also, by of), or by that, introducing the intelligence; as, to acquaint a friend with the particulars of an act.
Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love.
Shak.
I must acquaint you that I have received
New dated letters from Northumberland.
Shak.
3. To familiarize; to accustom. [Obs.]
Evelyn.
To be acquainted with, to be possessed of personal knowledge of; to be cognizant of; to be more or less familiar with; to be on terms of social intercourse with.
Syn. Ð To inform; apprise; communicate; advise.
AcÏquaint¶aÏble (#), a. [Cf. OF. acointable. Easy to be acquainted with; affable. [Obs.]
Rom. of R.
AcÏquaint¶ance (#), n. [OE. aqueintance, OF. acointance, fr. acointier. See Acquaint.] 1. A state of being acquainted, or of having intimate, or more than slight or superficial, knowledge; personal knowledge gained by intercourse short of that of friendship or intimacy; as, I know the man; but have no acquaintance with him.
Contract no friendship, or even acquaintance, with a guileful man.
Sir W. Jones.
2. A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.
Montgomery was an old acquaintance of Ferguson.
Macaulay.
µ In this sense the collective term acquaintance was formerly both singular and plural, but it is now commonly singular, and has the regular plural acquaintances.
To be of acquaintance, to be intimate. Ð To take acquaintance of or with, to make the acquaintance of. [Obs.]
Syn. Ð Familiarity; intimacy; fellowship; knowledge. Ð Acquaintance, Familiarity, Intimacy. These words mark different degrees of closeness in social intercourse. Acquaintance arises from occasional intercourse; as, our acquaintance has been a brief one. We can speak of a slight or an intimate acquaintance. Familiarity is the result of continued acquaintance. It springs from persons being frequently together, so as to wear off all restraint and reserve; as, the familiarity of old companions. Intimacy is the result of close connection, and the freest interchange of thought; as, the intimacy of established friendship.
Our admiration of a famous man lessens upon our nearer acquaintance with him.
Addison.
We contract at last such a familiarity with them as makes it difficult and irksome for us to call off our minds.
Atterbury.
It is in our power to confine our friendships and intimacies to men of virtue.
Rogers.
AcÏquaint¶anceÏship, n. A state of being acquainted; acquaintance.
Southey.
AcÏquaint¶ant (#), n. [Cf. F. acointant, p. pr.] An acquaintance. [R.]
Swift.
AcÏquaint¶ed, a. Personally known; familiar. See To be acquainted with, under Acquaint, v. t.
AcÏquaint¶edÏness, n. State of being acquainted; degree of acquaintance. [R.]
Boyle.
AcÏquest¶ (#), n. [OF. aquest, F. acquˆt, fr. LL. acquestum, acquisÆtum, for L. acquisÆtum, p. p. (used substantively) of acquirere to acquire. See Acquire.]
1. Acquisition; the thing gained. [R.]
Bacon.
2. (Law) Property acquired by purchase, gift, or otherwise than by inheritance.
Bouvier.
Ac·quiÏesce¶ (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Acquiesced (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Acquiescing (#)] [ L. acquiescere; ad + quiescere to be quiet, fr. quies rest: cf. F. acquiescer. See Quiet.] 1. To rest satisfied, or apparently satisfied, or to rest without opposition and discontent (usually implying previous opposition or discontent); to accept or consent by silence or by omitting to object; Ð followed by in, formerly also by with and to.
They were compelled to acquiesce in a government which they did not regard as just.
De Quincey.
2. To concur upon conviction; as, to acquiesce in an opinion; to assent to; usually, to concur, not heartily but so far as to forbear opposition.
Syn. Ð To submit; comply; yield; assent; agree; consent; accede; concur; conform; accept tacitly.
Ac·quiÏes¶cence (#), n. [Cf. F. acquiescence.]
1. A silent or passive assent or submission, or a submission with apparent content; Ð distinguished from avowed consent on the one hand, and on the other, from opposition or open discontent; quiet satisfaction.
2. (Crim. Law) (a) Submission to an injury by the party injured. (b) Tacit concurrence in the action of another.
Wharton.
p. 17
Ac·quiÏes¶cenÏcy (#), n. The quality of being acquiescent; acquiescence. Ac· quiÏes¶cent (#), a. [L. acquiescens, Ï?entis; p. pr.] Resting satisfied or submissive; disposed tacitly to submit; assentive; as, an acquiescent policy. Ac·quiÏes¶centÏly, adv. In an acquiescent manner. AcÏqui¶et (#), v. t. [LL. acquietare; L. ad + quies rest. See Quiet and cf. Acquit.] To quiet. [Obs.] Acquiet his mind from stirring you against your own peace. Sir A. Sherley. AcÏquir¶aÏbil¶iÏty (#), n. The quality of being acquirable; attainableness. [R.] Paley. AcÏquir¶aÏble (#), a. Capable of being acquired. AcÏquire¶ (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquired (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Acquiring (#).] [L. acquirere, acquisitum; ad + quarere to seek for. In OE. was a verb aqueren, fr. the same, through OF. aquerre. See Quest..] To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own; as, to acquire a title, riches, knowledge, skill, good or bad habits. No virtue is acquired in an instant, but step by step. Barrow. Descent is the title whereby a man, on the death of his ancestor, acquires his estate, by right of representation, as his heir at law. Blackstone. Syn. Ð To obtain; gain; attain; procure; win; earn; secure. See Obtain. AcÏquire¶ment (#), n. The act of acquiring, or that which is acquired; attainment. ½Rules for the acquirement of a taste.¸ Addison. His acquirements by industry were… enriched and enlarged by many excellent endowments of nature. Hayward. Syn. Ð Acquisition, Acquirement. Acquirement is used in opposition to a natural gift or talent; as, eloquence, and skill in music and painting, are acquirements; genius is the gift or endowment of nature. It denotes especially personal attainments, in opposition to material or external things gained, which are more usually called acquisitions; but this distinction is not always observed. AcÏquir¶er (#), n. A person who acquires. AcÏquir¶y (#), n. Acquirement. [Obs.] Barrow. Ac¶quiÏsite (#), a. [L. acquisitus, p. p. of acquirere. See Acquire.] Acquired. [Obs.] Burton. Ac·quiÏsi¶tion (#), n. [L. acquisitio, fr. acquirere: cf. F. acquisition. See Acquire.] 1. The act or process of acquiring. The acquisition or loss of a province. Macaulay. 2. The thing acquired or gained; an acquirement; a gain; as, learning is an acquisition. Syn. Ð See Acquirement. AcÏquis¶iÏtive (#), a. 1. Acquired. [Obs.] He died not in his acquisitive, but in his native soil. Wotton. 2. Able or disposed to make acquisitions; acquiring; as, an acquisitive person or disposition. AcÏquis¶iÏtiveÏly, adv. In the way of acquisition. AcÏquis¶iÏtiveÏness, n. 1. The quality of being acquisitive; propensity to acquire property; desire of possession. 2. (Phren.) The faculty to which the phrenologists attribute the desire of acquiring and possessing. Combe. AcÏquis¶iÏtor (#), n. One who acquires. AcÏquist¶ (#), n. [Cf. Acquest.] Acquisition; gain. Milton. AcÏquit¶ (#), p. p. Acquitted; set free; rid of. [Archaic] Shak. AcÏquit¶, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acquitting.] [OE. aquiten, OF. aquiter, F. acquitter; ? (L. ad) + OF. quiter, F. quitter, to quit. See Quit, and cf. Acquiet.] 1. To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay off; to requite. A responsibility that can never be absolutely acquitted. I. Taylor. 2. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.] Shak. 3. To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, duty, liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge; Ð now followed by of before the charge, formerly by from; as, the jury acquitted the prisoner; we acquit a man of evil intentions. 4. Reflexively: (a) To clear one's self.k. (b) To bear or conduct one's self; to perform one's part; as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle; the orator acquitted himself very poorly. Syn. Ð To absolve; clear; exonerate; exonerate; exculpate; release; discharge. See Absolve. AcÏquit¶ment (#), n. [Cf. OF. aquitement.] Acquittal. [Obs.] Milton. AcÏquit¶tal (#), n. 1. The act of acquitting; discharge from debt or obligation; acquittance. 2. (Law) A setting free, or deliverance from the charge of an offense, by verdict of a jury or sentence of a court. Bouvier. AcÏquit¶tance (#), n. [OF. aquitance, fr. aquiter. See Acquit.] 1. The clearing off of debt or obligation; a release or discharge from debt or other liability. 2. A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full, which bars a further demand. You can produce acquittances For such a sum, from special officers. Shak. AcÏquit¶tance, v. t. To acquit. [Obs.] Shak. AcÏquit¶ter (#), n. One who acquits or releases. Ø AÏcra¶niÏa (#), n. [NL., from Gr. ? priv. + ? skull.] 1. (Physiol.) Partial or total absence of the skull. 2. pl. (Zo”l.) The lowest group of Vertebrata, including the amphioxus, in which no skull exists. AÏcra¶niÏal (#), a. Wanting a skull. AÏcrase¶, AÏcraze¶ } (#), v. t. [Pref. aÏ + crase; or cf. F. ‚craser to crush. See Crase, Craze.] 1. To craze. [Obs.] Grafton. 2. To impair; to destroy. [Obs.] Hacket. Ø AÏcra¶siÏa (#), Ac¶raÏsy (#) } n. [Gr. ?.] Excess; intemperance. [Obs. except in Med.] Farindon. Ø AÏcras¶peÏda (#), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? priv. + ? border.] (Zo”l.) A group of acalephs, including most of the larger jellyfishes; the Discophora. A¶cre (#), n. [OE. aker, AS. ‘cer; akin to OS. accar, OHG. achar, Ger. acker, Icel. akr, Sw. †ker, Dan. ager, Goth. akrs, L. ager, Gr. ?, Skr. ajra. ?.] 1. Any field of arable or pasture land. [Obs.] 2. A piece of land, containing 160 square rods, or 4,840 square yards, or 43,560 square feet. This is the English statute acre. That of the United States is the same. The Scotch acre was about 1.26 of the English, and the Irish 1.62 of the English. µ The acre was limited to its present definite quantity by statutes of Edward I., Edward III., and Henry VIII. Broad acres, many acres, much landed estate. [Rhetorical] Ð God's acre, God's field; the churchyard. I like that ancient Saxon phrase, which calls The burial ground, God's acre. Longfellow. A¶creÏaÏble (#), a. Of an acre; per acre; as, the acreable produce. A¶creÏage (#), n. Acres collectively; as, the acreage of a farm or a country. A¶cred (#), a. Possessing acres or landed property; Ð used in composition; as, largeÐacred men. Ac¶rid (#), a. [L. acer sharp; prob. assimilated in form to acid. See Eager.] 1. Sharp and harsh, or bitter and not, to the taste; pungent; as, acrid salts. 2. Causing heat and irritation; corrosive; as, acrid secretions. 3. Caustic; bitter; bitterly irritating; as, acrid temper, mind, writing. Acrid poison, a poison which irritates, corrodes, or burns the parts to which it is applied. AÏcrid¶iÏty (#), Ac¶ridÏness (#) } n. The quality of being acrid or pungent; irritant bitterness; acrimony; as, the acridity of a plant, of a speech. Ac¶ridÏly (#), adv. In an acid manner. Ac¶riÏmo¶niÏous (#), a. [Cf. LL. acrimonious, F. acrimonieux.] 1. Acrid; corrosive; as, acrimonious gall. [Archaic] Harvey. 2. Caustic; bitterÐtempered' sarcastic; as, acrimonious dispute, language, temper. Ac·riÏmo¶niÏousÏly, adv. In an acrimonious manner. Ac·riÏmo¶niÏousÏness, n. The quality of being acrimonious; asperity; acrimony. Ac¶riÏmoÏny (#), n.; pl. Acrimonies (#). [L. acrimonia, fr. acer, sharp: cf. F. acrimonie.] 1. A quality of bodies which corrodes or destroys others; also, a harsh or biting sharpness; as, the acrimony of the juices of certain plants. [Archaic] Bacon. 2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper; irritating bitterness of disposition or manners. John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant conceit of theirs. South. Syn. Ð Acrimony, Asperity, Harshness, Tartness. These words express different degrees of angry feeling or language. Asperity and harshness arise from angry feelings, connected with a disregard for the feelings of others. Harshness usually denotes needless severity or an undue measure of severity. Acrimony is a biting sharpness produced by an imbittered spirit. Tartness denotes slight asperity and implies some degree of intellectual readiness. Tartness of reply; harshness of accusation; acrimony of invective. In his official letters he expressed, with great acrimony, his contempt for the king's character. Macaulay. It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. Johnson. A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth of harshness and brutality. Shaftesbury. Ø AÏcris¶iÏa (#), Ac¶riÏsy (#), } n. [LL. acrisia, Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? to separate, to decide.] 1. Inability to judge. 2. (Med.) Undecided character of a disease. [Obs.] Ø Ac¶riÏta (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? indiscernible; ? priv. + ? to distinguish.] (Zo”l.) The lowest groups of animals, in which no nervous system has been observed. Ac¶riÏtan (#), a. (Zo”l.) Of or pertaining to the Acrita. Ð n. An individual of the Acrita. Ac¶rite (#), a. (Zo”l.) Acritan. Owen. AÏcrit¶icÏal (#), a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? critical.] (Med.) Having no crisis; giving no indications of a crisis; as, acritical symptoms, an acritical abscess. Ac·riÏtoÏchro¶maÏcy (#), n. [Gr. ? undistinguishable; ? priv. + ? to separate, distinguish + ? color.] Color blindness; achromatopsy. Ac¶riÏtude (#), n. [L. acritudo, from acer sharp.] Acridity; pungency joined with heat. [Obs.] Ac¶riÏty (#), n. [L. acritas, fr. acer sharp: cf. F. ƒcret‚.] Sharpness; keenness. [Obs.] Ac·roÏaÏmat¶ic (#), Ac·roÏaÏmat¶icÏal (#), } a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to hear.] Communicated orally; oral; Ð applied to the esoteric teachings of Aristotle, those intended for his genuine disciples, in distinction from his exoteric doctrines, which were adapted to outsiders or the public generally. Hence: Abstruse; profound. Ac·roÏat¶ic (#), a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to hear.] Same as Acroamatic. Ac¶roÏbat (#), n. [F. acrobate, fr. Gr. ? walking on tiptoe, climbing aloft; ? high + ? to go.] One who practices rope dancing, high vaulting, or other daring gymnastic feats. Ac·roÏbat¶ic (#), a. [Cf. F. acrobatique.] Pertaining to an acrobat. Ð Ac·roÏbat¶icÏalÏly, adv. Ac¶roÏbatÏism (#), n. Feats of the acrobat; daring gymnastic feats; high vaulting. Ac·roÏcar¶pous (#), a. [Gr. ? extreme, highest + ? fruit.] (Bot.) (a) Having a terminal fructification; having the fruit at the end of the stalk. (b) Having the fruit stalks at the end of a leafy stem, as in certain mosses. Ac·roÏceÏphal¶ic (#), a. [Gr. ? highest + ?. See Cephalic.] Characterized by a high skull. Ac·roÏcerph¶aÏly (#), n. Loftiness of skull. Ac·roÏceÏrau¶niÏan (#), a. [L. acroceraunius, fr. Gr. ? high, n. pl. ? heights + ? thunderbolt.] Of or pertaining to the high mountain range of ½thunderÐsmitten¸ peaks (now Kimara), between Epirus and Macedonia. Shelley. Ø Ac·roÏdac¶tylÏum (#), n. [NL., from Gr. ? topmost + ? finger.] (Zo”l.) The upper surface of the toes, individually. Ac¶roÏdont (#), n. [Gr. ? summit + ?, ?, a tooth.] (Zo”l.) One of a group of lizards having the teeth immovably united to the top of the alveolar ridge. Ð a. Of or pertaining to the acrodonts. Ac¶roÏgen (#), n. [Gr. ? extreme, high + Ïgen.] Ac¶roÏgen (#), n. [Gr. ? extreme, high + Ïgen.] (Bot.) A plant of the highest class of cryptograms, including the ferns, etc. See Cryptogamia. The Age of Acrogens (Geol.), the age of coal plants, or the carboniferous era. AcÏrog¶eÏnous (#), a. (Bot.) Increasing by growth from the extremity; as, an acrogenous plant. AÏcro¶leÏin (#), n. [L. acer sharp + ol?re to smell.] (Chem.) A limpid, colorless, highly volatile liquid, obtained by the dehydration of glycerin, or the destructive distillation of neutral fats containing glycerin. Its vapors are intensely irritating. Watts. Ac¶roÏlith (#), n. [L. acrolthus, Gr. ? with the ends made of stone; ? extreme + ? stone.] (Arch. & Sculp.) A statue whose extremities are of stone, the trunk being generally of wood. Elmes. AÏcrol¶iÏthan (#), Ac·roÏlith¶ic (#), } a. Pertaining to, or like, an acrolith. Ac·roÏmeg¶aÏly (#), n. [NL. acromegalia, fr. Gr. ? point, peak + ?, ?, big.] (Med.) Chronic enlargement of the extreinities and face. AÏcro¶miÏal (#), a. [Cf. F. acromial.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the acromion. Dunglison. Ø AÏcro¶miÏon (#), n. [Gr. ?; ? extreme + ? shoulder: cf. F. acromion.] (Anat.) The outer extremity of the shoulder blade. Ac·roÏmon·oÏgramÏmat¶ic (#), a. [Gr. ? extreme + ? alone + ? a letter.] Having each verse begin with the same letter as that with which the preceding verse ends. AÏcron¶yc (#), AÏcron¶ychÏal (#), } a. [Gr. ? at nightfall; ? + ? night.] (Astron.) Rising at sunset and setting at sunrise, as a star; Ð opposed to cosmical. µ The word is sometimes incorrectly written acronical, achronychal, acronichal, and acronical. AÏcron¶ycÏalÏly, adv. In an acronycal manner as rising at the setting of the sun, and vise versƒ. Ac¶roÏnyc¶tous (#), a. [Gr. ?; ? + ?, ?, night.] (Astron.) Acronycal. AÏcrook¶ (#), adv. Crookedly. [R.] Udall. AÏcrope¶eÏtal (#), a. [Gr. ? summit + L. petere to seek.] (Bot.) Developing from below towards the apex, or from the circumference towards the center; centripetal; Ð said of certain inflorescence. AÏchroph¶oÏny (#), n. [Gr. ? extreme + ? sound.] The use of a picture symbol of an object to represent phonetically the initial sound of the name of the object. Ø Ac·roÏpo¶diÏum (#), n. [Gr. ? topmost + ?, ?, foot.] (Zo”l.) The entire upper surface of the foot. AÏcrop¶oÏlis (#), n. [Gr. ?; ? extreme + ? city.] The upper part, or the citadel, of a Grecian city; especially, the citadel of Athens. Ac¶roÏpol¶iÏtan (#), a. Pertaining to an acropolis. Ac¶roÏspire (#), n. [Gr. ? + ? anything twisted.] (Bot.) The sprout at the end of a seed when it begins to germinate; the plumule in germination; Ð so called from its spiral form. Ac¶roÏspire, v. i. To put forth the first sprout. Ac¶roÏspore (#), n. [Gr. ? + ? fruit.] (Bot.) A spore borne at the extremity of the cells of fructification in fungi. Ac¶roÏspor¶ous (#), a. Having acrospores. AÏcross¶ (#; 115), prep. [Pref. aÏ + cross: cf. F. en croix. See Cross, n.] From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a river. Dryden. To come across, to come upon or meet incidentally. Freeman. Ð To go across the country, to go by a direct course across a region without following the roads. AÏcross¶, adv. 1. From side to side; crosswise; as, with arms folded across. Shak. 2. Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry. [Obs.] The squintÐeyed Pharisees look across at all the actions of Christ. Bp. Hall. AÏcros¶tic (#)(#), n. [Gr. ?; ? extreme + ? order, line, verse.] 1. A composition, usually in verse, in which the first or the last letters of the lines, or certain other letters, taken in order, form a name, word, phrase, or motto. 2. A Hebrew poem in which the lines or stanzas begin with the letters of the alphabet in regular order (as Psalm cxix.). See Abecedarian. Double acrostic, a species of enigma<— crossword puzzle —>, in which words are to be guessed whose initial and final letters form other words. AÏcros¶tic (#), AÏcros¶tiÏal (#), } n. Pertaining to, or characterized by, acrostics. AÏcros¶ticÏalÏly, adv. After the manner of an acrostic. Ø Ac·roÏtar¶siÏum (#), n. [NL., from Gr. ? topmost + ? tarsus.] (Zo”l.) The instep or front of the tarsus.
p. 18
Ac·roÏteÏleu¶tic (#), n. [Gr. ? extreme + ? end.] (Eccles.) The end of a verse or psalm, or something added thereto, to be sung by the people, by way of a response.
Ac¶roÏter (#), n. [F. acrotŠre. See Acroterium.] (Arch.) Same as Acroterium.
Ac·roÏte¶riÏal (#), a. Pertaining to an acroterium; as, ornaments.
P. Cyc.
Ø Ac·roÏte·riÏum (#), n.; pl. Acroteria (#). [L., fr. Gr. ? summit, fr. ? topmost.] (Arch.) (a) One of the small pedestals, for statues or other ornaments, placed on the apex and at the basal angles of a pediment. Acroteria are also sometimes placed upon the gables in Gothic architecture. J. H. Parker. (b) One of the pedestals, for vases or statues, forming a part roof balustrade.
AÏcrot¶ic (#), a. [Gr. ? an extreme, fr. ?.] (Med.) Pertaining to or affecting the surface.
Ac¶roÏtism (#), n. [Gr. ? priv. + ? a rattling, beating.] (Med.) Lack or defect of pulsation.
AÏcrot¶oÏmous (#), a. [Gr. ? cut off sharp; ? extreme + ? to cut.] (Min.) Having a cleavage parallel with the base.
AÏcryl¶ic (#), a. (Chem.) Of or containing acryl, the hypothetical radical of which acrolein is the hydride; as, acrylic acid.
Act (#), n. [L. actus, fr. agere to drive, do: cf. F. acte. See Agent.] 1. That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.
That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love.
Wordsworth.
Hence, in specific uses: (a) 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. (b) A formal solemn writing, expressing that something has been done. Abbott. (c) 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. (d) A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.
2. A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence. [Obs.]
The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility, what they afterward grow to be.
Hooker.
3. Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing). ½In act to shoot.¸
Dryden.
This woman was taken… in the very act.
John viii. 4.
Act of attainder. (Law) See Attainder. Ð Act of bankruptcy (Law), an act of a debtor which renders him liable to be adjudged a bankrupt. Ð Act of faith. (Ch. Hist.) See AutoÐdaÐF?. Ð Act of God (Law), an inevitable accident; such extraordinary interruption of the usual course of events as is no to be looked for in advance, and against which ordinary prudence could not guard. - Act of grace, an expression often used to designate an act declaring pardon amnesty to numerous offenders, as at the beginning, of a new reign. - Act of indemnity, a statute passed for the protection of those who have committed some illegal act subjecting them to penalties. Abbott. - Act in pais, a thing done out of court (anciently, in the country), and not a matter of record.
Syn. Ð See Action.
Act, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acting.] [L. actus, p. p. of agere to drive, lead, do; but influenced by E. act, n.] 1. To move to action; to actuate; to animate. [Obs.]
SelfÐlove, the spring of motion, acts the soul.
Pope.
2. To perform; to execute; to do. [Archaic]
That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our necessity.
Jer. Taylor.
Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of acting things expedient for us to do.
Barrow.
Uplifted hands that at convenient times
Could act extortion and the worst of crimes.
Cowper.
3. To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.
4. To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.
5. To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.
With acted fear the villain thus pursued.
Dryden.
To act a part, to sustain the part of one of the characters in a play; hence, to simulate; to dissemble. - To act the part of, to take the character of; to fulfill the duties of.
Act, v. i. 1.To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.
2. 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.
He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest.
Pope.
3. 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.
4. To perform on the stage; to represent a character.
To show the world how Garrick did not act.
Cowper.
To act as or for, to do the work of; to serve as. - To act on, to regulate one's conduct according to. - To act up to, to equal in action; to fulfill in practice; as, he has acted up to his engagement or his advantages.<— to act up, to misbehave —>
Act¶aÏble (#), a. Capable of being acted.
Tennyson.
Ac¶tiÏnal (#), a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray.] (Zo”l.) Pertaining to the part of a radiate animal which contains the mouth.
L. Agassiz.
Ø Ac·tiÏna¶riÏa (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?, ?, ray.] (Zo”l.) A large division of Anthozoa, including those which have simple tentacles and do not form stony corals. Sometimes, in a wider sense, applied to all the Anthozoa, expert the Alcyonaria, whether forming corals or not.
Act¶ing (#), a. 1. Operating in any way.
2. Doing duty for another; officiating; as, an superintendent.
Ø AcÏtin¶iÏa (#), n.; pl. L. Actini‘ (#), E. Actinias (#). [Latinized fr. Gr. ?, ?, ray.] (Zo”l.) (a) An animal of the class Anthozoa, and family Actinid‘. From a resemblance to flowers in form and color, they are often called animal flowers and sea anemones. [See Polyp.]. (b) A genus in the family Actinid‘.
AcÏtin¶ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to actinism; as, actinic rays.
AcÏtin¶iÏform (#), a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïform.] Having a radiated form, like a sea anemone.
Ac¶tinÏism (#), n. [Gr. ?, ? ray.] The property of radiant energy (found chiefly in solar or electric light) by which chemical changes are produced, as in photography.
AcÏtin¶iÏum (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray.] (Chem.) A supposed metal, said by Phipson to be contained in commercial zinc; - so called because certain of its compounds are darkened by exposure to light.
Ac·tiÏnoÐchem¶isÏtry (#), n. Chemistry in its relations to actinism.
Draper.
AcÏtin¶oÏgraph (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïgraph.] An instrument for measuring and recording the variations in the actinic or chemical force of rays of light.
Nichol.
Ac¶tinÏoid (#), a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïoid.] Having the form of rays; radiated, as an actinia.
AcÏtin¶oÏlite (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïlite.] (Min.) A bright green variety of amphibole occurring usually in fibrous or columnar masses.
Ac·tinÏoÏlit¶ic (#), a. (Min.) Of the nature of, or containing, actinolite.
Ac·tiÏnol¶oÏgy (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïlogy.] The science which treats of rays of light, especially of the actinic or chemical rays.
AcÏtin¶oÏmere (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? part.] (Zo”l.) One of the radial segments composing the body of one of the Coelenterata.
Ac·tiÏnom¶eÏter (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïmeter] (a) An instrument for measuring the direct heating power of the sun's rays. (b) An instrument for measuring the actinic effect of rays of light.
Ac·tiÏnoÏmet¶ric (#), a. Pertaining to the measurement of the intensity of the solar rays, either (a) heating, or (b) actinic.
Ac·tiÏnom¶eÏtry (#), n. 1. The measurement of the force of solar radiation.
Maury.
2. The measurement of the chemical or actinic energy of light.
Abney.
Ac·tiÏnoph¶oÏrous (#), a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? to bear.] Having straight projecting spines.
AcÏtin¶oÏsome (#), n. [Gr. ? ray + ? body.] (Zo”l.) The entire body of a coelenterate.
Ac¶tinÏost (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? bone.] (Anat.) One of the bones at the base of a paired fin of a fish.
AcÏtin¶oÏstome (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, a ray + ? mouth.] (Zo”l.) The mouth or anterior opening of a c lenterate animal.
Ø Ac·tiÏnot¶roÏcha (#), n. pl. [NL.; Gr. ?, ?, a ray + ? a ring.] (Zo”l.) A peculiar larval form of Phoronis, a genus of marine worms, having a circle of ciliated tentacles.
Ø Ac¶tiÏnoÏzo¶a (#), n. pl. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? animal.] (Zo”l.) A group of Coelenterata, comprising the Anthozoa Ctenophora. The sea anemone, or actinia, is a familiar example.
Ac·tiÏnoÏzo¶al (#), a. (Zo”l.) Of or pertaining to the Actinozoa.
Ø Ac¶tiÏnoÏzo¶”n (#), n. (Zo”l.) One of the Actinozoa.
Ø AcÏtin¶uÏla (#), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a ray.] (Zo”l.) A kind of embryo of certain hydroids (Tubularia), having a stellate form.
Ac¶tion (#), n. [OF. action, L. actio, fr. agere to do. See Act.] 1. A process or condition of acting or moving, as opposed to rest; the doing of something; exertion of power or force, as when one body acts on another; the effect of power exerted on one body by another; agency; activity; operation; as, the action of heat; a man of action.
One wise in council, one in action brave.
Pope.
2. An act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.): Habitual deeds; hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor.
The Lord is a Good of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
1 Sam. ii. 3.
3. The event or connected series of events, either real or imaginary, forming the subject of a play, poem, or other composition; the unfolding of the drama of events.
4. Movement; as, the horse has a spirited action.
5. (Mech.) Effective motion; also, mechanism; as, the breech action of a gun.
6. (Physiol.) Any one of the active processes going on in an organism; the performance of a function; as, the action of the heart, the muscles, or the gastric juice.
7. (Orat.) Gesticulation; the external deportment of the speaker, or the suiting of his attitude, voice, gestures, and countenance, to the subject, or to the feelings.
8. (Paint. & Sculp.) The attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.
9. (Law) (a) A suit or process, by which a demand is made of a right in a court of justice; in a broad sense, a judicial proceeding for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense. (b) A right of action; as, the law gives an action for every claim.
10. (Com.)A share in the capital stock of a joint-stock company, or in the public funds; hence, in the plural, equivalent to stocks. [A Gallicism] [Obs.]
The Euripus of funds and actions.
Burke.
11. An engagement between troops in war, whether on land or water; a battle; a fight; as, a general action, a partial action.
12. (Music) The mechanical contrivance by means of which the impulse of the player's finger is transmitted to the strings of a pianoforte or to the valve of an organ pipe.
Grove.
Chose in action. (Law) See Chose. - Quantity of action (Physics), the product of the mass of a body by the space it runs through, and its velocity.
Syn. Ð Action, Act. In many cases action and act are synonymous; but some distinction is observable. Action involves the mode or process of acting, and is usually viewed as occupying some time in doing. Act has more reference to the effect, or the operation as complete.
To poke the fire is an act, to reconcile friends who have quarreled is a praiseworthy action.
C. J. Smith.
Ac¶tionÏaÏble (#), a. [Cf. LL. actionabilis. See Action.] That may be the subject of an action or suit at law; as, to call a man a thief is actionable.
Ac¶tionÏaÏbly, adv. In an actionable manner.
Ac¶tionÏaÏry (#), Ac¶tionÏist (#), } n. [Cf. F. actionnaire.] (Com.) A shareholder in joint-stock company. [Obs.]
Ac¶tionÏless, a. Void of action.
Ac¶tiÏvate (#), v. t. To make active. [Obs.]
Ac¶tive (#), a. [F. actif, L. activus, fr. agere to act.] 1. Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; - opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as an active child or animal.
Active and nervous was his gait.
Wordsworth.
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; - opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
4. Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; - opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; - opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; - opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
8. Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.
9. (Gram.) (a) Applied to a form of the verb; - opposed to passive. See Active voice, under Voice. (b) Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive. (c) Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
Active capital, Active wealth, money, or property that may readily be converted into money.
Syn. - Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick; sprightly; prompt; energetic.
Ac¶tiveÏly, adv. 1. In an active manner; nimbly; briskly; energetically; also, by one's own action; voluntarily, not passively.
2. (Gram.) In an active signification; as, a word used actively.
Ac¶tiveÏness, n. The quality of being active; nimbleness; quickness of motion; activity.
AcÏtiv¶iÏty (#), n.; pl. Activities (#). [Cf. F. activit‚, LL. activitas.] The state or quality of being active; nimbleness; agility; vigorous action or operation; energy; active force; as, an increasing variety of human activities. ½The activity of toil.¸
Palfrey.
Syn. - Liveliness; briskness; quickness.
Act¶less (#), a. Without action or spirit. [R.]
Ac¶ton (#), n. [OF. aketon, auqueton, F. hoqueton, a quilted jacket, fr. Sp. alcoton, algodon, cotton. Cf. Cotton.] A stuffed jacket worn under the mail, or (later) a jacket plated with mail. [Spelled also hacqueton.] [Obs.]
Halliwell. Sir W. Scott.
Ac¶tor (#), n. [L. actor, fr. agere to act.] 1. One who acts, or takes part in any affair; a doer.
2. A theatrical performer; a stageplayer.
After a well graced actor leaves the stage.
Shak.
3. (Law) (a) An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes. Jacobs. (b) One who institutes a suit; plaintiff or complainant.
Ac·tress (#), n. [Cf. F. actrice.] 1. A female actor or doer. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
2. A female stageplayer; a woman who acts a part.