Acroteleutic - Actual

Prev Next

Acroteleutic (ăkr�t�lūtĭk), n. [Gr. 'akros extreme + teleyth end.] (Eccles.) The end of a verse or psalm, or something added thereto, to be sung by the people, by way of a response.
[ Webster]

Acroter (ăkr�tẽr or ȧkrōtẽr), n. [F. acrotère. See .] (Arch.) Same as .
[ Webster]

Acroterial (ăkr�tērĭ�l), a. Pertaining to an acroterium; as, acroterial ornaments. P. Cyc.
[ Webster]

Acroterium (-ŭm), n.; pl. Acroteria (�). [L., fr. Gr. 'akrwthrion summit, fr. 'akros 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.
[ Webster]

Acrotic (�), a. [Gr. � an extreme, fr. �.] (Med.) Pertaining to or affecting the surface.
[ Webster]

Acrotism (ăkr�tĭz'm), n. [Gr. 'a priv. + krotos a rattling, beating.] (Med.) Lack or defect of pulsation.
[ Webster]

Acrotomous (�), a. [Gr. 'akrotomos cut off sharp; 'akros extreme + temnein to cut.] (Min.) Having a cleavage parallel with the base.
[ Webster]

Acrylic (�), a. 1. (Chem.) Of or containing acryl, the hypothetical radical of which acrolein is the hydride; as, acrylic acid. The characteristic residue in an acrylic compound is the carbonyl group attached directly to an ethylenic carbon.
[ Webster +PJC]

2. same as .
[PJC]

3. same as .
[PJC]

4. a paint in which the pigment is suspended in a solution of an , which dries to a hard film on exposure to air.
[PJC]

5. a painting made using an acrylic paint.
[PJC]

Acrylic resin (�), n. 1. (Chem.) a thermoplastic made by polymerization of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or some derivative of these (such as the esters or amides). It can be formed into a clear hard plastic, and is the basis for the commercial plastics called Lucite and Plexiglass.
[PJC]

acrylonitrile n. 1. a colorless liquid compound (H2C:CH.CN); used as raw material for acrylic fibers, and as a solvent.
Syn. -- vinyl cyanide, cyanoethylene, 2-propenenitrile
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Act (ăkt), n. [L. actus, fr. agere to drive, do: cf. F. acte. See .] 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.
[ Webster]

That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love. Wordsworth.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

2. A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility, what they afterward grow to be. Hooker.
[ Webster]

3. Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing). “In act to shoot.” Dryden.
[ Webster]

This woman was taken . . . in the very act. John viii. 4.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Act of attainder . (Law) See . -- Coloq. Act of bankruptcy (Law), an act of a debtor which renders him liable to be adjudged a bankrupt. -- Coloq. Act of faith . (Ch. Hist.) See . -- Coloq. Act of God (Law), an inevitable accident; such extraordinary interruption of the usual course of events as is not to be looked for in advance, and against which ordinary prudence could not guard. -- Coloq. Act of grace , an expression often used to designate an act declaring pardon or amnesty to numerous offenders, as at the beginning of a new reign. -- Coloq. Act of indemnity , a statute passed for the protection of those who have committed some illegal act subjecting them to penalties. Abbott. -- Coloq. Act in pais , a thing done out of court (anciently, in the country), and not a matter of record.
[ Webster]

Syn. -- See .
[ Webster]

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.]
[ Webster]

Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul. Pope.
[ Webster]

2. To perform; to execute; to do. [Archaic]
[ Webster]

That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our necessity. Jer. Taylor.
[ Webster]

Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of acting things expedient for us to do. Barrow.
[ Webster]

Uplifted hands that at convenient times
Could act extortion and the worst of crimes. Cowper.
[ Webster]

3. To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.
[ Webster]

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

5. To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.
[ Webster]

With acted fear the villain thus pursued. Dryden.
[ Webster]

Coloq. To act a part , to sustain the part of one of the characters in a play; hence, to simulate; to dissemble. -- Coloq. To act the part of , to take the character of; to fulfill the duties of.
[ Webster]

Act, v. i. 1. To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest. Pope.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

4. To perform on the stage; to represent a character.
[ Webster]

To show the world how Garrick did not act. Cowper.
[ Webster]

Coloq. To act as or Coloq. To act for , to do the work of; to serve as. -- Coloq. To act on , to regulate one's conduct according to. -- Coloq. To act up to , to equal in action; to fulfill in practice; as, he has acted up to his engagement or his advantages.
[ Webster]

Actable (�), a. Capable of being acted. Tennyson.
[ Webster]

Actaea n. 1. 1 baneberry.
Syn. -- genus Actaea
[WordNet 1.5]

ACTH n. 1. a growth hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates the adrenal cortex.
Syn. -- adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, adrenocorticotropin, adrenocorticotrophin, corticotropin, corticotrophin
[WordNet 1.5]

Actias n. 1. 1 luna moths.
Syn. -- genus Actias
[WordNet 1.5]

Actinal (�), a. [Gr. �, �, ray.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the part of a radiate animal which contains the mouth. L. Agassiz.
[ Webster]

Actinaria (�), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. �, �, ray.] (Zoöl.) An order 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.
[ Webster]

Acting (�), a. 1. Operating in any way.
[ Webster]

2. Doing duty for another; officiating; as, an acting superintendent.
[ Webster]

Actinia (�), n.; pl. L. Actiniæ (�), E. Actinias (�). [Latinized fr. Gr. �, �, ray.] (Zoöl.) (a) An animal of the class Anthozoa, and family Actinidæ. From a resemblance to flowers in form and color, they are often called animal flowers and sea anemones. [See .]. (b) A genus in the family Actinidæ.
[ Webster]

actinian n. 1. any sea anemone or related animal.
Syn. -- actinia, actiniarian
[WordNet 1.5]

Actiniaria n. 1. 1 the order comprising sea anemones.
Syn. -- order Actiniaria, Actinaria, order Actinaria
[WordNet 1.5]

actiniarian n. 1. any sea anemone or related animal.
Syn. -- actinia, actinian
[WordNet 1.5]

Actinic (�), a. Of or pertaining to actinism; as, actinic rays.
[ Webster]

Actinidia n. 1. 1 a small Asiatic woody vine bearing many-seeded fruit.
Syn. -- genus Actinidia.
[WordNet 1.5]

Actinidiaceae n. 1. 1 tropical trees or shrubs or woody vines.
Syn. -- family Actinidiaceae
[WordNet 1.5]

Actiniform (�), a. [Gr. �, �, ray + -form.] Having a radiated form, like a sea anemone.
[ Webster]

Actiniopteris n. 1. 1 a genus of terrestrial ferns of tropical Asia and Africa.
Syn. -- genus Actiniopteris.
[WordNet 1.5]

Actinism (�), n. [Gr. �, � ray.] The property of radiant energy (found chiefly in solar or electric light) by which chemical changes are produced, as in photography.
[ Webster]

Actinium (�), 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.
[ Webster]

Actino-chemistry (�), n. Chemistry in its relations to actinism. Draper.
[ Webster]

Actinogram (?), n. [Gr. �, �, ray + -gram.] A record made by the actinograph.
[Obsolescent] [Webster Suppl.]

Actinograph (�), n. [Gr. �, �, ray + -graph.] An instrument for measuring and recording the variations in the actinic or chemical force of rays of light. Nichol.
[ Webster]

Actinoid (�), a. [Gr. �, �, ray + -oid.] Having the form of rays; radiated, as an actinia.
[ Webster]

Actinolite (�), n. [Gr. �, �, ray + -lite.] (Min.) A bright green variety of amphibole occurring usually in fibrous or columnar masses.
[ Webster]

Actinolitic (�), a. (Min.) Of the nature of, or containing, actinolite.
[ Webster]

Actinology (�), n. [Gr. �, �, ray + -logy.] The science which treats of rays of light, especially of the actinic or chemical rays.
[ Webster]

Actinomere (�), n. [Gr. �, �, ray + � part.] (Zoöl.) One of the radial segments composing the body of one of the Cœlenterata.
[ Webster]

Actinometer (�), n. [Gr. �, �, ray + -meter] (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.
[ Webster]

Actinometric (�), a. Pertaining to the measurement of the intensity of the solar rays, either (a) heating, or (b) actinic.
[ Webster]

Actinometry (�), n. 1. The measurement of the force of solar radiation. Maury.
[ Webster]

2. The measurement of the chemical or actinic energy of light. Abney.
[ Webster]

Actinomycetales n. 1. 1 filamentous or rod-shaped bacteria.
Syn. -- order Actinomycetales
[WordNet 1.5]

actinomycetes n. 1. branched gram-positive bacteria, often found in soil, some of which are pathogenic for humans and animals. some species have been found to produce metabolites which are useful in medicine. Many species of these bacteria have been isolated and extensively screened by pharmaceutical companies and university research groups for production of useful therapeutic agents. Among the agent produced by actinomycetes are tetracyclines, streptomycin, avermectin, and thienamycin
[WordNet 1.5]

actinomycetous adj. 1. of or pertaining to actinomycetes.
Syn. -- actinomycetal
[WordNet 1.5]

actinomycin n. [From actinomyces, the genus of the organism in which they were first found.] 1. any of various red antibiotics isolated from soil bacteria with a three-ring heterocyclic nucleus with an attached peptide chain. Actinomycin D is the most well-known and has been used to treat certain tumors. They act by binding to DNA and inhibiting the transcription of RNA. Their binding to DNA has been much studied.
Syn. -- actinomycin actinomycin C actinomycin F1 actinomycin D
[WordNet 1.5]

actinomycin D n. [From actinomyces, the genus of the organism in which they were first found.] The most well-known of the actinomycins (C62H86N12O16), a class of antibiotics which act by binding to DNA and inhibiting synthesis of RNA; they act agains gram-positive bacteria and many eukaryotic organisma. Actinomycin D has been used in human medicine to treat certain tumors.
Syn. -- dactinomycin, actinomycin IV, Cosmegen[trade name], actinomycin C1, actinomycin I1
[PJC]

Actinomycosis (ăktĭn�mīkōsĭs), n. [NL.] (Med.) A chronic infectious disease of cattle and man due to infection with actinomycetes, especially by Actinomyces bovis in cattle and by Actinomyces israeli or Arachnia propionica in man. It is characterized by hard swellings usually in the mouth and jaw. In man the disease may also affect the abdomen or thorax. Called also lumpy jaw or big jaw.
[Webster Suppl. + WordNet 1.5]

Actinomycotic adj. 1. of or pertaining to actinomycosis.
[WordNet 1.5]

Actinomyxidia n. 1. an order comprising parasites of worms.
Syn. -- order Actinomyxidia.
[WordNet 1.5]

actinomyxidian n. 1. a type of parasite of worms.
[WordNet 1.5]

Actinophone (?), n. [Gr. �, �, ray + � voice.] (Physics) An apparatus for the production of sound by the action of the actinic, or ultraviolet, rays.
[Webster Suppl.]

Actinophonic (?), a. (Physics) Pertaining to, or causing the production of, sound by means of the actinic, or ultraviolet, rays; as, actinophonic phenomena.
[Webster Suppl.]

Actinophorous (�), a. [Gr. �, �, ray + ferein to bear.] Having straight projecting spines.
[ Webster]

actinopod n. 1. protozoa having stiff rodlike radiating pseudopods.
[WordNet 1.5]

Actinopoda n. 1. 1 heliozoans; radiolarians.
Syn. -- subclass Actinopoda
[WordNet 1.5]

Actinosome (�), n. [Gr. � ray + � body.] (Zoöl.) The entire body of a cœlenterate.
[ Webster]

Actinost (�), n. [Gr. �, �, ray + � bone.] (Anat.) One of the bones at the base of a paired fin of a fish.
[ Webster]

Actinostome (�), n. [Gr. �, �, a ray + � mouth.] (Zoöl.) The mouth or anterior opening of a cœlenterate animal.
[ Webster]

Actinotrocha (�), n. pl. [NL.; Gr. �, �, a ray + � a ring.] (Zoöl.) A peculiar larval form of Phoronis, a genus of marine worms, having a circle of ciliated tentacles.
[ Webster]

Actinozoa (�), n. pl. [Gr. �, �, ray + zw^on animal.] (Zoöl.) A group of Cœlenterata, comprising the Anthozoa and Ctenophora. The sea anemone, or actinia, is a familiar example.
[ Webster]

Actinozoal (�), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Actinozoa.
[ Webster]

Actinozoön (�), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Actinozoa.
[ Webster]

Actinula (�), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. �, �, a ray.] (Zoöl.) A kind of embryo of certain hydroids (Tubularia), having a stellate form.
[ Webster]

Action (�), n. [OF. action, L. actio, fr. agere to do. See .] 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.
[ Webster]

One wise in council, one in action brave. Pope.
[ Webster]

2. An act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.): Habitual deeds; hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor.
[ Webster]

The Lord is a Good of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 1 Sam. ii. 3.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

4. Movement; as, the horse has a spirited action.
[ Webster]

5. (Mech.) Effective motion; also, mechanism; as, the breech action of a gun.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

8. (Paint. & Sculp.) The attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

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.]
[ Webster]

The Euripus of funds and actions. Burke.
[ Webster]

11. An engagement between troops in war, whether on land or water; a battle; a fight; as, a general action, a partial action.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Chose in action . (Law) See . -- Coloq. Quantity of action (Physics), the product of the mass of a body by the space it runs through, and its velocity.
[ Webster]

Syn. -- , . 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.
[ Webster]

Actionable (�), a. [Cf. LL. actionabilis. See .] That may be the subject of an action or suit at law; as, to call a man a thief is actionable.
[ Webster]

Actionably, adv. In an actionable manner.
[ Webster]

{ Actionary (�), Actionist (�), } n. [Cf. F. actionnaire.] (Com.) A shareholder in joint-stock company. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Actionless, a. Void of action.
[ Webster]

Actium n. 1. naval battle where Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian's fleet under Agrippa in 31 BC.
[WordNet 1.5]

Activate (�), v. t. To make active. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

activated adj. 1. (Sewage treatment) treated with aeration and bacteria to aid decomposition; -- of sewage
[WordNet 1.5]

3. (Physics) made reactive or more reactive; -- of e.g. a molecule
Syn. -- activated, excited
[WordNet 1.5]

4. rendered active; -- as e.g. radioactive or luminescent or photosensitive or conductive
Syn. -- activated
[WordNet 1.5]

5. (Military) set up and placed on active assignment a newly activated unit
Syn. -- activated
[WordNet 1.5]

activating adj. prenom. 1. causing motion or action or change
Syn. -- actuating(prenominal)
[WordNet 1.5]

activating n. 1. same as activation{1}.
Syn. -- energizing, activation
[WordNet 1.5]

activation n. 1. the process of making active.
Syn. -- energizing, activating
[WordNet 1.5 2. making active and effective (as a bomb).
[ Webster]

certain devices, as bombs or artillery shells, are designed to be unable to operate until a specific action (activation or arming) is taken to make them operable.
[WordNet 1.5]

activator n. 1. any agency bringing about activation; (Biol.) a molecule that increases the activity of an enzyme or a protein that increases the production of a gene product in DNA transcription.
[WordNet 1.5]

Active (�), 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.
[ Webster]

2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
[ Webster]

Active and nervous was his gait. Wordsworth.
[ Webster]

3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; -- opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
[ Webster]

6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; -- opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
[ Webster]

7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
[ Webster]

8. Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.
[ Webster]

9. (Gram.) (a) Applied to a form of the verb; -- opposed to passive. See Active voice, under . (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.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Active capital , Coloq. Active wealth , money, or property that may readily be converted into money.
[ Webster]

Syn. -- Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick; sprightly; prompt; energetic.
[ Webster]

Actively, adv. 1. In an active manner; nimbly; briskly; energetically; also, by one's own action; voluntarily, not passively.
[ Webster]

2. (Gram.) In an active signification; as, a word used actively.
[ Webster]

Activeness, n. The quality of being active; nimbleness; quickness of motion; activity.
[ Webster]

activism n. 1. a policy of taking direct and militant action to achieve a political or social goal.
[WordNet 1.5]

activist n. 1. one who is aggressively active on behalf of a cause.
Syn. -- militant
[WordNet 1.5]

activist activistic adj. 1. 1 advocating a cause or engaged in activism
[WordNet 1.5]

Activity (�), n.; pl. Activities (�). [Cf. F. activité, 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. “The activity of toil.” Palfrey.
[ Webster]

Syn. -- Liveliness; briskness; quickness.
[ Webster]

Actless (�), a. Without action or spirit. [R.]
[ Webster]

Acton (�), n. [OF. aketon, auqueton, F. hoqueton, a quilted jacket, fr. Sp. alcoton, algodon, cotton. Cf. .] A stuffed jacket worn under the mail, or (later) a jacket plated with mail. [Spelled also hacqueton.] [Obs.] Halliwell. Sir W. Scott.
[ Webster]

Actor (�), n. [L. actor, fr. agere to act.] 1. One who acts, or takes part in any affair; a doer.
[ Webster]

2. A theatrical performer; a stageplayer.
[ Webster]

After a well graced actor leaves the stage. Shak.
[ Webster]

3. (Law) (a) An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes. Jacobs. (b) One who institutes a suit; plaintiff or complainant.
[ Webster]

Actress (�), n. [Cf. F. actrice.] 1. A female actor or doer. [Obs.] Cockeram.
[ Webster]

2. A female stageplayer; a woman who acts a part.
[ Webster]

Acts n. 1. 1 one of the books of the Christian New Testament describing the activities of Christ's apostles after his death.
Syn. -- Acts of the Apostles
[WordNet 1.5]

Actual (#; 135), a. [OE. actuel, F. actuel, L. actualis, fr. agere to do, act.] 1. Involving or comprising action; active. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Her walking and other actual performances. Shak.
[ Webster]

Let your holy and pious intention be actual; that is . . . by a special prayer or action, . . . given to God. Jer. Taylor.
[ Webster]

2. Existing in act or reality; really acted or acting; in fact; real; -- opposed to potential, possible, virtual, speculative, conceivable, theoretical, or nominal; as, the actual cost of goods; the actual case under discussion.
[ Webster]

3. In action at the time being; now exiting; present; as the actual situation of the country.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Actual cautery . See under . -- Coloq. Actual sin (Theol.), that kind of sin which is done by ourselves in contradistinction to “original sin.”
[ Webster]

Syn. -- Real; genuine; positive; certain. See .
[ Webster]

Prev Next

Concept Explore Home

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z