Act

Definition - Noun
1 a  : something done by a person in accordance with his or her free will <a tortious ~>
see also actus reus
b  : the failure to do something that one has a legal duty to do
2 a  often cap : the formal product of a legislative body
: the formally declared will of a legislature the final requirement of which is usu. the signature of the proper executive officer
: See also statute<an ~ of Congress>
b  : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice
compare bill
3  often cap : a formal record of something done or transacted <given as my free ~ and deed> <matters of procedure are provided for in that Act ­Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 81(a)(6)>

Definition - Intransitive Verb
1  : to carry into effect a determination of the will
: take action
2  : to discharge the duties of a specified office or post
: perform a specified function ­used with a prepositional phrase <declaring what officer shall then ~ as President ­U.S. Constitution art. II>
3  : to give a decision or award (as by vote of a deliberative body or by judicial decree) ­often used with on <adjourned with several important matters still not ~ed on>



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Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
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