action

ac•tion

[[t]ˈæk ʃən[/t]] n.

1) the process or state of acting or functioning; the state of being active:

We saw the team in action[/ex]

2) something done or performed; act; deed

3) a consciously willed act or activity

4) practical, often organized activity undertaken to deal with or accomplish something:

a crisis that requires immediate action[/ex]

5) actions, habitual or usual acts; conduct

6) energetic activity:

a man of action[/ex]

7) an exertion of power or force:

the erosive action of wind[/ex]

8) effect or influence:

the action of morphine[/ex]

9) a change in organs, tissues, or cells leading to performance of a function, as in muscular contraction

10) way or manner of moving:

the action of a horse[/ex]

11) the mechanism by which something is operated, as that of a gun or a piano

12) mil a military encounter, as a battle or skirmish

13) mil actual combat with enemy forces

14) lit. the main subject or story line of a literary or dramatic work

15)

a) lit. an event or series of events that form part of a dramatic plot

b) lit. one of the three dramatic unities

Compare unity 8)

c) sbz (used as a command by a motion-picture director to begin the performance of a scene for filming)

16) sbz the gestures or deportment of an actor or speaker

17) law a legal proceeding instituted by one party against another

18) cvb sts Slang.

a) interesting or exciting activity, sometimes of an illicit nature

b) gambling activity

•

- piece of the action take action

Etymology: 1300–50; < L āctiō=ag(ere) to drive, do, act+-tiō -tion ac′tion•less, adj.