1590, in the meaning defined atintransitive sense 2 Time Traveler The first known use ofactwas in the 14th century See more words from the same century Phrases Containingact act accordingly act dumb act of God act one's age act on/upon ...
First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2 Time Traveler The first known use of act was in the 14th century See more words from the same century Phrases...
Usage Note: She was acting as if she'd seen a ghost.她的行为举止像是见到幽灵一般。In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though in this meaning, especially in North American English: She was acting like she'd seen a ghost. This is not considered correct in wr...
Stella felt unnatural in their company, as if she was acting a part. 斯特拉和他们在一起感到不自在,好像在演戏一样。 act/play the fool装傻;扮丑相(以逗人笑,但往往惹人恼怒) Why are you always acting the fool? 你为什么老装傻? Quit playing the fool and get some work done!别再装傻了,...
2.Express unconscious feelings or impulses through one's behavior, without being aware of it. For example,She acted out her anger at her father by screaming at her husband. This meaning comes from 20th-century psychological theory and usually (but not always) refers to negative or hostile impu...
By the same token, one may want a piece of the action, but not a piece of the act. The demands of meaning or idiom often require one word or the other. In some cases, either can be used: my act (or action) was premature. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, ...
"Luftmensch," literally meaning "air person," is the Yiddish way of describing someone who is a bit of a dreamer. Did You Know? The word "infant" comes from the Latin word "infans" which literally means "unable to speak; speechless." Did You Know? The word cereal comes from the Roman...
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such as "habitual or vigorous activity" show thatacttends to refer to a deed whileactiontends to refer to the process of doing. Thus, people engage insex actsbut notsex actions.By the same token, one may wanta piece of the action,but nota piece of the act.The demands of meaning or ...
First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2 Time Traveler The first known use of act was in the 14th century See more words from the same century Phrases...