action

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"When the will determines an animal to any kind of action, the organs whose function it is to execute this action are then immediately provoked by the flowing there of subtile fluids, which become the determining cause of movements which perform the action in question.

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Definitions (113)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (17)

  1. noun The state or process of acting or doing: The medical team went into action.
  2. noun Something done or accomplished; a deed. See Usage Note at act.
  3. noun Organized activity to accomplish an objective: a problem requiring drastic action.

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Examples (50)

  • The ground of this action was the treaty between France and the United States in 1803, by which the rights and privileges of citizens had been secured to the Creoles residing in the above places at the time of the treaty ARKANSAS so far as her laws appear, did not prohibit the education of Negroes; but a study of her laws leaves the impression that the Negroes there were practically denied the right of instruction CONNECTICUT never legislated against educating Colored persons, but the prejudice was so strong that it amounted to the same thing. —  History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2 (of 2) Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens
  • Well, no one said 'no;' an' then my great-uncle said, 'Well, major, nothin' remains but to carry out our resolution; so please to vacate this boat; although, seein' as it's not dinner time for some hours yet, there's no need of hurry, unless you wish to have it over with But,' says the major, 'your action is altogether unparlymentary. —  Adrift in the Ice-Fields
  • By the movement it gives to the intestines their action is also assisted, and constipation is prevented This deep breathing may be practised several times each day (say ten breaths at a time) till the habit of correct breathing is acquired. —  Papers on Health
  • This action was the key to the character and triumphs of this great warrior Satan's sublime decision in "Paradise Lost," after his hopeless banishment from heaven, excites a feeling akin to admiration. —  Pushing to the Front
  • What exactly the nature of this action was the Stoics themselves were not quite agreed. —  A Short History of Greek Philosophy
 

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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

activity ·  power ·  character ·  act ·  effort ·  decision

Used in the same contextWord Family

action:   actions
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. from Middle English accion, -oun, from Old French action = Spanish accion = Portuguese acção = Italian azione, from Latin actio(n-), from agere, do, act: see act, n.
  2. from action, n.
 

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/ˈækʃən/
by American Heritage

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