AcÏtin¶ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to actinism; as, actinic rays.
AcÏtin¶iÏform (#), a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïform.] Having a radiated form, like a sea anemone.
Ac¶tinÏism (#), n. [Gr. ?, ? ray.] The property of radiant energy (found chiefly in solar or electric light) by which chemical changes are produced, as in photography.
AcÏtin¶iÏum (#), 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.
Ac·tiÏnoÐchem¶isÏtry (#), n. Chemistry in its relations to actinism.
Draper.
AcÏtin¶oÏgraph (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïgraph.] An instrument for measuring and recording the variations in the actinic or chemical force of rays of light.
Nichol.
Ac¶tinÏoid (#), a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïoid.] Having the form of rays; radiated, as an actinia.
AcÏtin¶oÏlite (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïlite.] (Min.) A bright green variety of amphibole occurring usually in fibrous or columnar masses.
Ac·tinÏoÏlit¶ic (#), a. (Min.) Of the nature of, or containing, actinolite.
Ac·tiÏnol¶oÏgy (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïlogy.] The science which treats of rays of light, especially of the actinic or chemical rays.
AcÏtin¶oÏmere (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? part.] (Zo”l.) One of the radial segments composing the body of one of the Coelenterata.
Ac·tiÏnom¶eÏter (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + Ïmeter] (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.
Ac·tiÏnoÏmet¶ric (#), a. Pertaining to the measurement of the intensity of the solar rays, either (a) heating, or (b) actinic.
Ac·tiÏnom¶eÏtry (#), n. 1. The measurement of the force of solar radiation.
Maury.
2. The measurement of the chemical or actinic energy of light.
Abney.
Ac·tiÏnoph¶oÏrous (#), a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? to bear.] Having straight projecting spines.
AcÏtin¶oÏsome (#), n. [Gr. ? ray + ? body.] (Zo”l.) The entire body of a coelenterate.
Ac¶tinÏost (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? bone.] (Anat.) One of the bones at the base of a paired fin of a fish.
AcÏtin¶oÏstome (#), n. [Gr. ?, ?, a ray + ? mouth.] (Zo”l.) The mouth or anterior opening of a c lenterate animal.
Ø Ac·tiÏnot¶roÏcha (#), n. pl. [NL.; Gr. ?, ?, a ray + ? a ring.] (Zo”l.) A peculiar larval form of Phoronis, a genus of marine worms, having a circle of ciliated tentacles.
Ø Ac¶tiÏnoÏzo¶a (#), n. pl. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? animal.] (Zo”l.) A group of Coelenterata, comprising the Anthozoa Ctenophora. The sea anemone, or actinia, is a familiar example.
Ac·tiÏnoÏzo¶al (#), a. (Zo”l.) Of or pertaining to the Actinozoa.
Ø Ac¶tiÏnoÏzo¶”n (#), n. (Zo”l.) One of the Actinozoa.
Ø AcÏtin¶uÏla (#), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a ray.] (Zo”l.) A kind of embryo of certain hydroids (Tubularia), having a stellate form.
Ac¶tion (#), n. [OF. action, L. actio, fr. agere to do. See Act.] 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.
One wise in council, one in action brave.
Pope.
2. An act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.): Habitual deeds; hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor.
The Lord is a Good of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
1 Sam. ii. 3.
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.
4. Movement; as, the horse has a spirited action.
5. (Mech.) Effective motion; also, mechanism; as, the breech action of a gun.
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.
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.
8. (Paint. & Sculp.) The attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.
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.
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.]
The Euripus of funds and actions.
Burke.
11. An engagement between troops in war, whether on land or water; a battle; a fight; as, a general action, a partial action.
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.
Chose in action. (Law) See Chose. - Quantity of action (Physics), the product of the mass of a body by the space it runs through, and its velocity.
Syn. Ð Action, Act. 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.
Ac¶tionÏaÏble (#), a. [Cf. LL. actionabilis. See Action.] That may be the subject of an action or suit at law; as, to call a man a thief is actionable.
Ac¶tionÏaÏbly, adv. In an actionable manner.
Ac¶tionÏaÏry (#), Ac¶tionÏist (#), } n. [Cf. F. actionnaire.] (Com.) A shareholder in joint-stock company. [Obs.]
Ac¶tionÏless, a. Void of action.
Ac¶tiÏvate (#), v. t. To make active. [Obs.]
Ac¶tive (#), 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.
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as an active child or animal.
Active and nervous was his gait.
Wordsworth.
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; - opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
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.
5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; - opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; - opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.