What is the meaning of act?

noun

• A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body.
  • synonyms: enactment
• Something that people do or cause to happen.
  • synonyms: deed, human action, human activity
• A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet.
• A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program.
  • usage: "he did his act three times every evening"; "she had a catchy little routine"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did"
  • synonyms: routine, number, turn, bit
• A manifestation of insincerity.
  • usage: "he put on quite an act for her benefit"

verb

• Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action. )
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: move
• Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: behave, do
• Play a role or part.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: play, represent
• Discharge one's duties.
  • usage: "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting"
• Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind.
  • usage: "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
  • synonyms: play, act as
• Be suitable for theatrical performance.
  • usage: "This scene acts well"
• Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: work
• Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure.
• Behave unnaturally or affectedly.
  • usage: "She's just acting"
  • synonyms: dissemble, pretend
• Perform on a stage or theater.
  • usage: "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
  • synonyms: play, roleplay, playact