how something is done or how it happens; "her dignified manner"; "his rapid manner of talking"; "their nomadic mode of existence"; "in the characteristic New York style"; "a lonely way of life"; "in an abrasive fashion"
a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
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"
a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
a manifestation of insincerity; "he put on quite an act for her benefit"
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"
discharge one's duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?"
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"
perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
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"
be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts well"
a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing; "an air of mystery"; "the house had a neglected air"; "an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters"; "the place had an aura of romance"
medium for radio and television broadcasting; "the program was on the air from 9 til midnight"; "the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people"
the region above the ground; "her hand stopped in mid air"; "he threw the ball into the air"
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of; "air pollution"; "a smell of chemicals in the air"; "open a window and let in some air"; "I need some fresh air"
once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry; "Air linen"
broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television; "We cannot air this X-rated song"
be broadcast; "This show will air Saturdays at 2 P.M."
something done (usually as opposed to something said); "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"
the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field; "the action is no longer in technology stocks but in municipal bonds"; "gawkers always try to get as close to the action as possible"
an act by a government body or supranational organization; "recent federal action undermined the segregationist position"; "the United Nations must have the power to propose and organize action without being hobbled by irrelevant issues"; "the Union action of emancipating Southern slaves"
the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism; "the piano had a very stiff action"
the trait of being active and energetic and forceful; "a man of action"
the series of events that form a plot; "his novels always have a lot of action"
the state of being active; "his sphere of activity"; "he is out of action"
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against; "He was warned that the district attorney would process him"; "She actioned the company for discrimination"
designed for or capable of a particular function or use; "a style of writing in which every word is functional"; "functional architecture"
involving or affecting function rather than physiology; "functional deafness"
designed for or adapted to a function or use; "functional education selects knowledge that is concrete and usable rather than abstract and theoretical"; "functional architecture"
fit or ready for use or service; "the toaster was still functional even after being dropped"; "the lawnmower is a bit rusty but still usable"; "an operational aircraft"; "the dishwasher is now in working order"
relating to or based on function especially as opposed to structure; "the problem now is not a constitutional one; it is a functional one"; "delegates elected on a functional rather than a geographical basis"
an upright pole or beam (especially one used as a support); "distance was marked by standards every mile"; "lamps supported on standards provided illumination"
a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated; "the schools comply with federal standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work"
the value behind the money in a monetary system
a board measure = 1980 board feet
commonly used or supplied; "standard procedure"; "standard car equipment"
regularly and widely used or sold; "a standard size"; "a stock item"
established or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence; "a standard reference work"
conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind; "windows of standard width"; "standard sizes"; "the standard fixtures"; "standard brands"; "standard operating procedure"
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers; "standard English" (American); "received standard English is sometimes called the King's English" (British)