action */*/*/

action */*/*/
UK [ˈækʃ(ə)n] / US noun
Word forms "action":
singular action plural actions
1) [uncountable] the process of doing something, especially in order to stop a bad situation from developing or continuing

Officials are not planning any drastic action.

take action (= begin to do something to solve a particular problem):

We urge the authorities to take action.

course of action (= something that you do in order to achieve a particular purpose):

We have three possible courses of action.

a) [countable/uncountable] the process of stopping work or working less effectively in order to protest about your pay, working conditions etc. This kind of action is also called industrial action

The strikers voted to suspend their action.

b) [countable/uncountable] the process of bringing a case to a court of law. This kind of action is also called legal action
bring an action (against someone) (= start a legal process against someone):

The magazine will fight the libel action brought by the Prime Minister.

See:

Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with action
▪  concerted, corrective, decisive, disciplinary, immediate, prompt, punitive, remedial, urgent
2) [countable] something you do, especially something that seems wrong or unusual to other people

How can you justify your actions?

3) [countable/uncountable] a movement that you make with your body

She found herself copying his actions.

reflex actions such as swallowing

a) [countable/uncountable] a movement that goes with a children's song

I'll sing and you can do the actions.

b) [singular/uncountable] the movement of an object as it works or makes progress, especially a particular kind of movement
action of:

This switch slows down the action of the pump.

the erosive action of a great glacier

4) [singular/uncountable] the effect that something such as a drug or chemical has
the action of something (on something):

the action of certain chemicals on the brain

5) [uncountable] fighting that is part of a war

Can military action be avoided?

killed/missing/wounded in action:

a list of soldiers missing in action

see action (= take part in military fighting):

We've been told we're unlikely to see action.

6) [singular/uncountable] informal all the exciting or important events that happen in a particular situation or place

Where's all the action in this town?

7) [singular] the events that form part of a play or film

In Scene 1, the action takes place in an expensive restaurant.


English dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • action — ac·tion n [Latin actio legal proceeding, from agere to do, carry out, initiate legal proceedings] 1 a: 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 …   Law dictionary

  • action — ACTION. sub. f. L opération d un agent. L action du feu sur le bois. L action du Soleil sur les plantes. L action de l esprit. Le feu, par la violence de son action, vitrifie les métaux. Une action vive, soudaine, momentanée.Action, se dit aussi… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • Action — may refer to:Music and culture* Action (philosophy), something a person can do * Action (music), a characteristic of a stringed instrument * Action (album), a 2004 album by Punchline * Action (B z album), a 2007 album by B z * Action (piano), the …   Wikipedia

  • Action 52 — North American NES cover art. Developer(s) …   Wikipedia

  • action — Action. s. f. Maniere dont une cause agit, & par laquelle elle produit son effet. L action du feu reduit le bois en cendres. Action, signifie aussi, Acte, fait, oeuvre. Bonne action. belle action. mauvaise action. vilaine action. action bien… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Action! — was a programming language and integrated editor, debugger, and 6502 code generating compiler, editor for the Atari 8 bit family of microcomputers. Action! was created by Clinton Parker and released on cartridge by Optimized Systems Software in… …   Wikipedia

  • Action — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • action — et besongne, Pragma, Actio. Action et droit de poursuyvre en justice ce qui nous est deu, Actio. Action de grace, Gratulatio, Gratiarum actio. Action personnelle, Condictio, Actio in personam. Action réelle, Actio in rem. Action petitoire,… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • Action 52-in-1 — Action 52 Action 52 Éditeur Active Enterprises Développeur FarSight Studios (MD) Active Enterprises …   Wikipédia en Français

  • action — 1 Action, act, deed agree in designating something done or effected. Action refers primarily to the process of acting; act and deed to the result, the thing done. An action is usually regarded as occupying some time and involving more than one… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • action — [ak′shən] n. [ME accion < OFr action < L actio < pp. of agere: see ACT1] 1. the doing of something; state of being in motion or of working 2. an act or thing done 3. [pl.] behavior; habitual conduct 4. habitual activity characterized by… …   English World dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”