English Dictionary

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.
Source : opted (1833)  - auto

An act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.): Habitual deeds; hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor.
Source : opted (1834)  - auto

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.
Source : opted (1835)  - auto

Movement; as, the horse has a spirited action.
Source : opted (1836)  - auto

Effective motion; also, mechanism; as, the breech action of a gun.
Source : opted (1837)  - auto

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.
Source : opted (1838)  - auto

Gesticulation; the external deportment of the speaker, or the suiting of his attitude, voice, gestures, and countenance, to the subject, or to the feelings.
Source : opted (1839)  - auto

The attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.
Source : opted (1840)  - auto

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.
Source : opted (1841)  - auto

A right of action; as, the law gives an action for every claim.
Source : opted (1842)  - auto