actingn.

Brit.

/ˈaktɪŋ/, U.S.

/ˈæktɪŋ/

Forms: see act v. and -ing suffix¹.

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: act v., -ing suffix¹.

Etymology: < act v. + -ing suffix¹.

1. The performance of a play, scene, or similar dramatic piece; the art or occupation of performing parts in plays, films, etc. In extended use: the action of feigning a particular emotion, feeling, or personality trait; pretence.In quot. 1664 as a count noun.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > acting > [noun]

action1540

acting1590

stage-playing1597

interluding1612

play-acting1633

histrionisma1682

theatrics1807

histrionics1824

mumming1861

histrionicism1870

stage play1872

Thespianism1914

1590 R. Greene Neuer too Late ii. sig. B4 ^v Men greedie of gaines did fall to practise the acting of such Playes.

1599 J. Rainolds Overthrow Stage-playes 79 For, to passe over the ingenuousnes of the boy that represented Melantho, opposed to the noblenes of Lentulus who did act Laureolus, the vnlikenes whereof in noblenes, and acting, is disprooved already; [etc.].

1643 Actors Remonstr. 4 We have endevoured, as much as in us lies, to instruct one another in the true and genuine Art of acting.

1664 S. Pepys Diary 2 Dec. (1971) V. 335 The play not good, nor anything but the good actings of Baterton and his wife and Harris.

1763 C. Churchill Rosciad in Poems I. 31 Whose Acting's hard, affected, and constrain'd.

1783 H. Blair Lect. Rhetoric II. xlv. 499 While the acting of the play is interrupted, the Spectator can..suppose a few hours to pass between every Act.

a1817 J. Austen Persuasion (1818) IV. x. 217 Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew such pleasure as she did..in the actual arrival of the very person whose presence must really be interfering with her prime object.

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. I. 61 Acting was the especial amusement of the English, from the palace to the village green.

1901 Times 1 June 8/3 For the last half-dozen years they had been spectators of the acting of a farce.

1928 ‘R. West’ Strange Necessity 205 The worst of making war, as of acting for the ‘movies’, is the amount of waiting around on the lot.

1985 M. F. Norden in B. G. Rose TV Genres iii. 41 Despite Lord's wooden acting and the predictable scripting.., ‘Hawaii Five-O’ has been the longest-running police detective show as of this writing.

2004 D. Willett et al. Greece (Lonely Planet) (ed. 6) 71/1 Other bars don't bother with the acting. They target intoxicated males with talk of sex and present them with outrageous bills.

2008 Independent 6 May 16/2 Since hanging up his boots in 1997, the philosophising French fruitcake Eric Cantona has employed his charisma in the field of acting.

2. The performance of deeds, continued action, behaviour; (in plural) actions, conduct.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > a proceeding > [noun] > proceedings or doings

workingOE

workOE

doingsa1387

practica1475

gearc1475

proceeding1524

practice1547

activity1570

courses1592

acting1596

motion1667

ongoings1673

energies1747

deed1788

movement1803

1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) Table of Contents sig. A7 ^v How the Spanyard in those Tumults drifted for France. The Popes incharitable acting therein.

a1617 J. Melville Mem. Own Life (1735) 267 So to direct my Actings as they might tend to his Glory.

a1655 T. Armitage Tryall of Faith (1661) 249 Shall we goe about to measure the counsell of Gods purpose and his acting from eternity by our crooked rule?

1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 10 Rather for a Direction to themselves to act by, than a History of my actings.

1785 J. Hanway Chimney Sweepers xviii. 118 The 9th article, prohibiting the acting without a licence.

1837 Q. Rev. Apr. 565 This arbitrary and capricious way of acting could not fail to vex and displease those who served under the commission.

a1854 Ld. Cockburn Memorials (1856) iii. 164 The past actings of courts ought not to be merely stated, but to be criticised and appreciated.

1954 Internat. & Compar. Law Q. 3 163 Scots law must be applied to test the honesty of actings concerning a Scots company and by that law the actings were not valid actings of the company.

1982 Times 19 May 6/4 Many of us..have been deeply disturbed by some of the actings of the Council of Members over the last 48 hours.

1997 R. Patai Jadīd al-Islām v. 72 The details presented in chapters below..will be a description of the thinking, feeling, and acting of this group.

3. The process of performing an action; performance, execution.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > carrying out > [noun]

workingOE

executionc1374

performinga1425

expedition1445

executing1480

administration1483

performancec1487

performation1504

handiworka1513

performent1527

dispatchment1529

depeaching1540

exploit1548

depeach?a1562

dispatchinga1564

dispatch1581

acting1598

outbearing1605

peraction1623

expediting1643

implement1754

solutiona1859

out-carrying1869

actuation1875

1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Deuotion 575 The acting and executing of all the duties of spirituall life.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 63 Betweene the acting of a dreadfull thing, And the first motion.

1688 J. Stewart Answer to Let. 25 After the acting of such an unchristian Persecution, [the Church of England] would never have been strong enough nor have had the Hearts to indure the like.

1763 J. Hoole tr. T. Tasso Jerusalem Delivered ii. 41 Mine was the counsel, mine the first design, And the last acting of the deed was mine.

1838 R. M. Bird Peter Pilgrim I. 111 A man can practise no virtue safely: he may write about it, he may talk about it..; but the acting of it will assuredly bring him into trouble.

1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. 1st Ser. viii. 124 Let impression pass on at once to acting.

1979 A. Potocki tr. Pope John Paul II Acting Person iii. 135 The specific response to the values presented in motivation seems to be indicative of..what distinguishes acting from any submission to action.

1999 C. McKinnon Character, Virtue Theories, & Vices iv. 114 At the moment of acting, this agent will be unaware of the wickedness of his choices.

4. The exertion of force or influence; working, activity, operation; an instance of this.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > [noun]

workOE

operationa1393

workmanshipc1400

actionc1405

act?a1425

workinga1425

activityc1485

executiona1530

play1548

workfulness1570

inworking1587

acting1605

agency1606

operancea1625

transaction1663

operancyc1811

outworking1846

mediacy1854

functioning1856

1605 T. Tymme tr. J. Du Chesne Pract. Chymicall & Hermeticall Physicke i. xvi. sig. M These Mettals of gold and siluer, when they are wholy fixed and corporeat,..are destitute of al power of acting or working.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 12 That the resolute acting of our blood Could haue attaind th'effect of your owne purpose.

1647 J. Sprigge Anglia Rediviva i. i. 2 This did but put nature upon more vigorous and industrious actings to defend itself.

1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will i. i. 3 There is nothing else in the Actings of my Mind, that I am conscious of while I walk.

1781 J. Moore View Society & Manners Italy II. lxii. 221 He remained ignorant of the structure and manner of acting of some of the principle springs [of the watch].

1833 T. Chalmers On Power of God (1835) I. iv. 173 The actings and reactings that take place between man and man.

1846 H. E. Manning Serm. (ed. 2) II. ii. 30 The continual actings of the desires, lusts, imaginations, leave soils and stains.

1915 Wilson Bull. 27 362 Nor could we detect any muscular acting of the throat, which would indicate regurgitation.

2000 Z. Haznadar & Ž. Štih Electromagnetic Fields, Waves & Numerical Methods vi. 161 The acting of a magnetic force.

Compounds

C1. General attributive.

a. With the sense ‘of, relating to, or suitable for dramatic performance’, spec. ‘having good dramatic qualities’ (cf. act v. 3d). Frequently in acting play, acting school.

ΚΠ

1709 in F. D. Senior Life & Times Colley Cibber (1928) 161 So acted, during that time, in all 135 days, which is 22 weeks and three days, accounting six acting days to a week.

1730 H. Fielding Author's Farce 17 A play which will do on the stage, will not always do for us; there are your acting plays, and your reading plays.

1768 D. Garrick Let. 26 Mar. (1831) I. 295 Also five copies of all the acting plays and farces half-bound.

1827 J. Boaden Mem. Mrs. Siddons II. 244 The Cleopatra of Dryden..did not range among her acting parts.

1854 A. C. Mowatt Autobiogr. Actress 203 I designed the play wholly as an acting comedy.

1898 L. Merrick Actor-Manager 234 It was a finer acting-scene for Blanche than for himself.

1901 C. Morris Life on Stage 142 It was an excellent acting part, very sweet and tenderly pathetic in the first act.

1937 Indiana (Pa.) Evening Gaz. 28 Jan. 5/4 The cat's acting ability is amazing. It leaps into Gable's lap when he sits down and cuddles up to his neck trying to lick his chin.

1977 Rolling Stone 30 June 73/2 I know how to play off people, in acting school you learn.

1996 Company Dec. 6/3 She's picked up so many prime acting parts in the past couple of years, she'll never have to totter down the runway again.

b. Designating a play script specially prepared for actors' use (i.e. provided with full stage directions, cuts, etc.), as acting copy, acting edition, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > written or printed text > [noun] > acting copy

acting copy1803

1803 Times 22 Nov. 3/1 If all his [sc. Shakespeare's] historical mistakes are to be rectified, we must have a new acting edition of his works, in direct contradiction to that destined for the closet.

1823 W. Oxberry in W. Shakespeare Tempest p. xviii This last alteration is at present the standard acting-copy, and has been followed in the edition here presented to the reader.

1850 (title) Lacy's acting edition of plays.

1910 W. W. Greg Shakespeare's Merry Wives Introd. 31 These four scenes cannot have been altogether omitted in the acting version.

1942 G. Mitchell Laurels are Poison xiv. 162 An ‘acting copy’ of Richard of Bordeaux.

1984 A. C. Dessen Elizabethan Stage Convent. (1988) vii. 138 Today's director often sidesteps these apparent anomalies by omitting them from the acting script.

2002 19th Cent. Lit. 57 424 Schoch's analysis is grounded in close readings of promptbooks, play-bills, acting editions, reviews, and performance iconography.

C2.

acting allowance n. chiefly British an allowance paid to a person temporarily appointed to a (usually more senior) position; cf. acting adj. 2.

ΚΠ

1838 Parbury's Oriental Herald & Colonial Intelligencer 2 34 The late acting Secretary..got..the sum of 300 rupees a month acting allowances.

1954 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 8 July 14/4 He will receive an acting allowance to make his salary the minimum of the higher post.

2004 School Teachers' Pay & Conditions 2004 (Dept. for Educ. & Skills) 74 Acting Allowance... Where a teacher is assigned and carries out duties of a head teacher,..but has not been appointed as an acting head teacher,..the relevant body shall..determine whether or not he shall be paid an allowance.

acting management n. now historical and rare the job or position of an acting manager.

ΚΠ

1796 J. Roach New & Compl. Hist. Stage xi. 131 Mr. Kemble, in consequence of this decision, resigned his acting management.

1860 Players 1 138 He has also had the acting management during the summer months of the Surrey Gardens.

1973 P. H. Highfill et al. Biogr. Dict. Actors II. 54 They were there under the acting management of Keasberry.

acting manager n. now historical a person, often an actor, responsible for organizing the scenery, costumes, and acting of a play.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > the staging of a theatrical production > people concerned with theatrical productions > [noun] > director or producer

play-dresser1602

acting manager1733

metteur en scène1851

producer1891

director1911

actor-producer1961

1733 B. Victor Mem. Life B. Booth 7 And the part of Cato was given to Mr. Booth by two of his Masters, who were Acting Managers.

1879 C. E. Pascoe Dram. List 237/1 Acting and Stage Manager: George Bartley.

1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 151 Resident manager, the manager of the theatre as distinct from the acting manager of a visiting company.

1992 J. R. Stephens Profession of Playwright i. 8 He is said to have written more than 700 pieces, coupled with duties as acting manager.

acting order n. now historical an order for acting in a certain capacity; (Navy) a temporary appointment to a vacant position which may or may not be confirmed by a higher authority at a later date.

ΚΠ

1793 Log 24 Dec. in A. Anderson Narr. Brit. Embassy China (1795) App. sig. Qq2 As Lieut. Cox's commission was vacant, Capt. Gower ordered him to act as 4th [Lieutenant]; read the order, and Mr. Tippet's acting order as 5th.

1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy III. iv. 80 I really think that an acting order would do more than the Doctor can.

1851 Acts Gen. Assembly Kentucky Nov. 1850 II. 638 The mayor may issue his acting orders to each supernumerary watchman..as may be needed.

1908 Times 25 July 13/3 In August, 1840, he received the acting order as Lieutenant from Commander Tucker, in consequence of there being no lieutenants left available for boarding vessels.

2006 B. Campbell No Quarter xiv. 222 I'm going to give ye a job to do, and three days to do it in. To help ye pull it off, I'll give ye an acting-order as lieutenant.

C3. With following adverb. See also acting out n.

acting over n. a re-enactment; the action of performing something again.

ΚΠ

1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 171 Making the creatures of one Element, but an acting over those of an other.

a1716 O. Blackall Wks. (1723) I. ix. 81 An acting over of Sin in our minds.

1853 C. L. Brace Home-life in Germany xii. 117 It is the acting over of one of the old Greek plays, with all the appropriate accompaniments.

2005 T. Matheson in H. Zander Julius Caesar xviii. 307 Surely what Cassius calls the ‘acting over’ of Caesar's death can never be a merely aesthetic gesture?

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

actingadj.

Brit.

/ˈaktɪŋ/, U.S.

/ˈæktɪŋ/

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: act v., -ing suffix².

Etymology: < act v. + -ing suffix².

1. That acts, that performs a function; active.Frequently with preceding modifying word, as double-, fast-, long-, short-acting, etc.: see the first element.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > [adjective]

workinga1568

acting1595

performing1595

applicative1607

operative1816

1595 J. Davis Worldes Hydrogr. Discription sig. A6^v But least it should bee obiected that the premises are conceites, the acting aucthors not nominated, I will vse some boldnes to recyte our owne countrymen, [etc.].

1601 S. Daniel Ciuill Warres (rev. ed.) vi. xxxiv. f. 87^v, in Wks. The acting spirits vp and awake doe keepe.

1651 J. F. tr. H. C. Agrippa Three Bks. Occult Philos. ii. lx. 339 The word therefore is the image of God, the acting intellect the image of the word.

a1708 W. Beveridge Thes. Theologicus (1710) II. 202 That we may submit to His acting Will, is requir'd, That we do not murmur at what He doth.

1766 A. Cumming Elements Clock & Watch-work 163 If the same cause, that enlarges the diameter of the Ballance be made to shorten the acting part of the Spring in a due proportion..; the times of Vibration will remain the same.

1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 356 The acting faces of the leaves of the pinion should be parts of an interior epicycloid..and the acting surfaces of the teeth of the wheel should be portions of an exterior epicycloid.

1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 513 The root of all these difficulties seems to be a confusion in our idea of..an acting force.

1909 H. Münsterberg Eternal Values xii. 341 The moral will which is anchored in the absolute self-value of the acting person also represents the higher stage of the self-development.

1960 A. Koestler Lotus & Robot ii. xi. 243 The split between the acting self and the self-observing self disappears.

1985 C. K. Cook Line by Line p. xvii The subject of such a sentence would become an indirect object if you revised the structure to make the subject the acting element.

1995 Independent 1 Feb. 1/1 Thallium, a slow-acting but deadly poison which is difficult to diagnose until it is too late.

2. Of a person: doing a job nominally shared with another or others who may not have an active role; (also) temporarily doing the job or duties of another. Chiefly preceding a title of office or occupation.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > position or job > [adjective]

honorary1631

acting1694

superannuable1937

society > authority > office > [adjective] > holding office > temporary

acting1797

1694 in W. Brown Praxis Almæ Curiæ Cancellariæ 415 F. who was the Plaintiffs Guardian, and the only acting Trustee.

1749 J. Wood Ess. Descr. Bath (ed. 2) II. iii. iv. 262 The acting Members of the Corporation then thought it necessary..to Re-build it.

1797 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1846) VII. 133 The Gunner of the Peterell not having joined, I shall put John Brady acting into the Peterell.

1801 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) IV. 287 Our friend Troubridge will tell you his opinion of the present Acting-Captain of the San Josef.

1832 H. Martineau Hill & Valley ii. 19 He resolved..to be an acting partner.

1873 Porcupine 24 May 124/1 The proud position of acting editor of the Mail is a far higher honour than that of any collector of Customs, acting or inactive.

1938 A. W. Griswold Far Eastern Policy of U.S. ii. 63 He served as Assistant Secretary of State under Olney, during part of which period..he filled the gap between Olney and Sherman as Acting Secretary.

1946 J. Irving Royal Navalese 19 Acting Unpaid. A rating who is granted permission by his Captain to wear some badge or mark of rank..although, by regulation, he is not entitled to it and cannot therefore be paid accordingly.

2008 Lloyd's List (Nexis) 8 May 3 Stanley Sher is to be interim acting president until Mr Koch's return.

3. That performs dramatically.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > acting > [adjective] > acting

staged1569

acting1854

play-acting1875

1854 N.-Y. Daily Times 30 Mar. 5/1 (advt.) Acting dogs, &c, this afternoon, at Barnum's.

1881 T. Hardy in Harper's Mag. Aug. 452/2 None of the acting ladies and gentlemen had emerged from their dressing rooms as yet.

1930 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 2 Dec. 11/5 William Morris toured vaudeville with an act of his own authorship, titled ‘All the Horrors of Home’, supported by his wife, and his three acting children.

1983 E. Mordden Broadway Babies xiii. 166 Not till R & H instituted the musical play was there any regular need for acting performers.

1999 J. A. Helgren Communicating with your Cat 141/2 It's important for acting cats to be able to do their tricks reliably even when the trainer is some distance away.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	acting
释义	actingn. Brit. /ˈaktɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈæktɪŋ/ Forms: see act v. and -ing suffix¹. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: act v., -ing suffix¹. Etymology: < act v. + -ing suffix¹. 1. The performance of a play, scene, or similar dramatic piece; the art or occupation of performing parts in plays, films, etc. In extended use: the action of feigning a particular emotion, feeling, or personality trait; pretence.In quot. 1664 as a count noun. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > acting > [noun] action1540 acting1590 stage-playing1597 interluding1612 play-acting1633 histrionisma1682 theatrics1807 histrionics1824 mumming1861 histrionicism1870 stage play1872 Thespianism1914 1590 R. Greene Neuer too Late ii. sig. B4 ^v Men greedie of gaines did fall to practise the acting of such Playes. 1599 J. Rainolds Overthrow Stage-playes 79 For, to passe over the ingenuousnes of the boy that represented Melantho, opposed to the noblenes of Lentulus who did act Laureolus, the vnlikenes whereof in noblenes, and acting, is disprooved already; [etc.]. 1643 Actors Remonstr. 4 We have endevoured, as much as in us lies, to instruct one another in the true and genuine Art of acting. 1664 S. Pepys Diary 2 Dec. (1971) V. 335 The play not good, nor anything but the good actings of Baterton and his wife and Harris. 1763 C. Churchill Rosciad in Poems I. 31 Whose Acting's hard, affected, and constrain'd. 1783 H. Blair Lect. Rhetoric II. xlv. 499 While the acting of the play is interrupted, the Spectator can..suppose a few hours to pass between every Act. a1817 J. Austen Persuasion (1818) IV. x. 217 Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew such pleasure as she did..in the actual arrival of the very person whose presence must really be interfering with her prime object. 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. I. 61 Acting was the especial amusement of the English, from the palace to the village green. 1901 Times 1 June 8/3 For the last half-dozen years they had been spectators of the acting of a farce. 1928 ‘R. West’ Strange Necessity 205 The worst of making war, as of acting for the ‘movies’, is the amount of waiting around on the lot. 1985 M. F. Norden in B. G. Rose TV Genres iii. 41 Despite Lord's wooden acting and the predictable scripting.., ‘Hawaii Five-O’ has been the longest-running police detective show as of this writing. 2004 D. Willett et al. Greece (Lonely Planet) (ed. 6) 71/1 Other bars don't bother with the acting. They target intoxicated males with talk of sex and present them with outrageous bills. 2008 Independent 6 May 16/2 Since hanging up his boots in 1997, the philosophising French fruitcake Eric Cantona has employed his charisma in the field of acting. 2. The performance of deeds, continued action, behaviour; (in plural) actions, conduct. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > a proceeding > [noun] > proceedings or doings workingOE workOE workOE doingsa1387 practica1475 gearc1475 proceeding1524 practice1547 activity1570 courses1592 acting1596 motion1667 ongoings1673 energies1747 deed1788 movement1803 1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) Table of Contents sig. A7 ^v How the Spanyard in those Tumults drifted for France. The Popes incharitable acting therein. a1617 J. Melville Mem. Own Life (1735) 267 So to direct my Actings as they might tend to his Glory. a1655 T. Armitage Tryall of Faith (1661) 249 Shall we goe about to measure the counsell of Gods purpose and his acting from eternity by our crooked rule? 1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 10 Rather for a Direction to themselves to act by, than a History of my actings. 1785 J. Hanway Chimney Sweepers xviii. 118 The 9th article, prohibiting the acting without a licence. 1837 Q. Rev. Apr. 565 This arbitrary and capricious way of acting could not fail to vex and displease those who served under the commission. a1854 Ld. Cockburn Memorials (1856) iii. 164 The past actings of courts ought not to be merely stated, but to be criticised and appreciated. 1954 Internat. & Compar. Law Q. 3 163 Scots law must be applied to test the honesty of actings concerning a Scots company and by that law the actings were not valid actings of the company. 1982 Times 19 May 6/4 Many of us..have been deeply disturbed by some of the actings of the Council of Members over the last 48 hours. 1997 R. Patai Jadīd al-Islām v. 72 The details presented in chapters below..will be a description of the thinking, feeling, and acting of this group. 3. The process of performing an action; performance, execution. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > carrying out > [noun] workingOE executionc1374 performinga1425 expedition1445 executing1480 administration1483 performancec1487 performation1504 handiworka1513 performent1527 dispatchment1529 depeaching1540 exploit1548 depeach?a1562 dispatchinga1564 dispatch1581 acting1598 outbearing1605 peraction1623 expediting1643 implement1754 solutiona1859 out-carrying1869 actuation1875 1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Deuotion 575 The acting and executing of all the duties of spirituall life. a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 63 Betweene the acting of a dreadfull thing, And the first motion. View more context for this quotation 1688 J. Stewart Answer to Let. 25 After the acting of such an unchristian Persecution, [the Church of England] would never have been strong enough nor have had the Hearts to indure the like. 1763 J. Hoole tr. T. Tasso Jerusalem Delivered ii. 41 Mine was the counsel, mine the first design, And the last acting of the deed was mine. 1838 R. M. Bird Peter Pilgrim I. 111 A man can practise no virtue safely: he may write about it, he may talk about it..; but the acting of it will assuredly bring him into trouble. 1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. 1st Ser. viii. 124 Let impression pass on at once to acting. 1979 A. Potocki tr. Pope John Paul II Acting Person iii. 135 The specific response to the values presented in motivation seems to be indicative of..what distinguishes acting from any submission to action. 1999 C. McKinnon Character, Virtue Theories, & Vices iv. 114 At the moment of acting, this agent will be unaware of the wickedness of his choices. 4. The exertion of force or influence; working, activity, operation; an instance of this. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > [noun] workOE operationa1393 workmanshipc1400 actionc1405 act?a1425 workinga1425 activityc1485 executiona1530 play1548 workfulness1570 inworking1587 acting1605 agency1606 operancea1625 transaction1663 operancyc1811 outworking1846 mediacy1854 functioning1856 1605 T. Tymme tr. J. Du Chesne Pract. Chymicall & Hermeticall Physicke i. xvi. sig. M These Mettals of gold and siluer, when they are wholy fixed and corporeat,..are destitute of al power of acting or working. a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 12 That the resolute acting of our blood Could haue attaind th'effect of your owne purpose. View more context for this quotation 1647 J. Sprigge Anglia Rediviva i. i. 2 This did but put nature upon more vigorous and industrious actings to defend itself. 1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will i. i. 3 There is nothing else in the Actings of my Mind, that I am conscious of while I walk. 1781 J. Moore View Society & Manners Italy II. lxii. 221 He remained ignorant of the structure and manner of acting of some of the principle springs [of the watch]. 1833 T. Chalmers On Power of God (1835) I. iv. 173 The actings and reactings that take place between man and man. 1846 H. E. Manning Serm. (ed. 2) II. ii. 30 The continual actings of the desires, lusts, imaginations, leave soils and stains. 1915 Wilson Bull. 27 362 Nor could we detect any muscular acting of the throat, which would indicate regurgitation. 2000 Z. Haznadar & Ž. Štih Electromagnetic Fields, Waves & Numerical Methods vi. 161 The acting of a magnetic force. Compounds C1. General attributive. a. With the sense ‘of, relating to, or suitable for dramatic performance’, spec. ‘having good dramatic qualities’ (cf. act v. 3d). Frequently in acting play, acting school. ΚΠ 1709 in F. D. Senior Life & Times Colley Cibber (1928) 161 So acted, during that time, in all 135 days, which is 22 weeks and three days, accounting six acting days to a week. 1730 H. Fielding Author's Farce 17 A play which will do on the stage, will not always do for us; there are your acting plays, and your reading plays. 1768 D. Garrick Let. 26 Mar. (1831) I. 295 Also five copies of all the acting plays and farces half-bound. 1827 J. Boaden Mem. Mrs. Siddons II. 244 The Cleopatra of Dryden..did not range among her acting parts. 1854 A. C. Mowatt Autobiogr. Actress 203 I designed the play wholly as an acting comedy. 1898 L. Merrick Actor-Manager 234 It was a finer acting-scene for Blanche than for himself. 1901 C. Morris Life on Stage 142 It was an excellent acting part, very sweet and tenderly pathetic in the first act. 1937 Indiana (Pa.) Evening Gaz. 28 Jan. 5/4 The cat's acting ability is amazing. It leaps into Gable's lap when he sits down and cuddles up to his neck trying to lick his chin. 1977 Rolling Stone 30 June 73/2 I know how to play off people, in acting school you learn. 1996 Company Dec. 6/3 She's picked up so many prime acting parts in the past couple of years, she'll never have to totter down the runway again. b. Designating a play script specially prepared for actors' use (i.e. provided with full stage directions, cuts, etc.), as acting copy, acting edition, etc. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > written or printed text > [noun] > acting copy acting copy1803 1803 Times 22 Nov. 3/1 If all his [sc. Shakespeare's] historical mistakes are to be rectified, we must have a new acting edition of his works, in direct contradiction to that destined for the closet. 1823 W. Oxberry in W. Shakespeare Tempest p. xviii This last alteration is at present the standard acting-copy, and has been followed in the edition here presented to the reader. 1850 (title) Lacy's acting edition of plays. 1910 W. W. Greg Shakespeare's Merry Wives Introd. 31 These four scenes cannot have been altogether omitted in the acting version. 1942 G. Mitchell Laurels are Poison xiv. 162 An ‘acting copy’ of Richard of Bordeaux. 1984 A. C. Dessen Elizabethan Stage Convent. (1988) vii. 138 Today's director often sidesteps these apparent anomalies by omitting them from the acting script. 2002 19th Cent. Lit. 57 424 Schoch's analysis is grounded in close readings of promptbooks, play-bills, acting editions, reviews, and performance iconography. C2. acting allowance n. chiefly British an allowance paid to a person temporarily appointed to a (usually more senior) position; cf. acting adj. 2. ΚΠ 1838 Parbury's Oriental Herald & Colonial Intelligencer 2 34 The late acting Secretary..got..the sum of 300 rupees a month acting allowances. 1954 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 8 July 14/4 He will receive an acting allowance to make his salary the minimum of the higher post. 2004 School Teachers' Pay & Conditions 2004 (Dept. for Educ. & Skills) 74 Acting Allowance... Where a teacher is assigned and carries out duties of a head teacher,..but has not been appointed as an acting head teacher,..the relevant body shall..determine whether or not he shall be paid an allowance. acting management n. now historical and rare the job or position of an acting manager. ΚΠ 1796 J. Roach New & Compl. Hist. Stage xi. 131 Mr. Kemble, in consequence of this decision, resigned his acting management. 1860 Players 1 138 He has also had the acting management during the summer months of the Surrey Gardens. 1973 P. H. Highfill et al. Biogr. Dict. Actors II. 54 They were there under the acting management of Keasberry. acting manager n. now historical a person, often an actor, responsible for organizing the scenery, costumes, and acting of a play. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > the staging of a theatrical production > people concerned with theatrical productions > [noun] > director or producer play-dresser1602 acting manager1733 metteur en scène1851 producer1891 director1911 actor-producer1961 1733 B. Victor Mem. Life B. Booth 7 And the part of Cato was given to Mr. Booth by two of his Masters, who were Acting Managers. 1879 C. E. Pascoe Dram. List 237/1 Acting and Stage Manager: George Bartley. 1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 151 Resident manager, the manager of the theatre as distinct from the acting manager of a visiting company. 1992 J. R. Stephens Profession of Playwright i. 8 He is said to have written more than 700 pieces, coupled with duties as acting manager. acting order n. now historical an order for acting in a certain capacity; (Navy) a temporary appointment to a vacant position which may or may not be confirmed by a higher authority at a later date. ΚΠ 1793 Log 24 Dec. in A. Anderson Narr. Brit. Embassy China (1795) App. sig. Qq2 As Lieut. Cox's commission was vacant, Capt. Gower ordered him to act as 4th [Lieutenant]; read the order, and Mr. Tippet's acting order as 5th. 1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy III. iv. 80 I really think that an acting order would do more than the Doctor can. 1851 Acts Gen. Assembly Kentucky Nov. 1850 II. 638 The mayor may issue his acting orders to each supernumerary watchman..as may be needed. 1908 Times 25 July 13/3 In August, 1840, he received the acting order as Lieutenant from Commander Tucker, in consequence of there being no lieutenants left available for boarding vessels. 2006 B. Campbell No Quarter xiv. 222 I'm going to give ye a job to do, and three days to do it in. To help ye pull it off, I'll give ye an acting-order as lieutenant. C3. With following adverb. See also acting out n. acting over n. a re-enactment; the action of performing something again. ΚΠ 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 171 Making the creatures of one Element, but an acting over those of an other. View more context for this quotation a1716 O. Blackall Wks. (1723) I. ix. 81 An acting over of Sin in our minds. 1853 C. L. Brace Home-life in Germany xii. 117 It is the acting over of one of the old Greek plays, with all the appropriate accompaniments. 2005 T. Matheson in H. Zander Julius Caesar xviii. 307 Surely what Cassius calls the ‘acting over’ of Caesar's death can never be a merely aesthetic gesture? This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022). actingadj. Brit. /ˈaktɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈæktɪŋ/ Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: act v., -ing suffix². Etymology: < act v. + -ing suffix². 1. That acts, that performs a function; active.Frequently with preceding modifying word, as double-, fast-, long-, short-acting, etc.: see the first element. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > [adjective] workinga1568 acting1595 performing1595 applicative1607 operative1816 1595 J. Davis Worldes Hydrogr. Discription sig. A6^v But least it should bee obiected that the premises are conceites, the acting aucthors not nominated, I will vse some boldnes to recyte our owne countrymen, [etc.]. 1601 S. Daniel Ciuill Warres (rev. ed.) vi. xxxiv. f. 87^v, in Wks. The acting spirits vp and awake doe keepe. 1651 J. F. tr. H. C. Agrippa Three Bks. Occult Philos. ii. lx. 339 The word therefore is the image of God, the acting intellect the image of the word. a1708 W. Beveridge Thes. Theologicus (1710) II. 202 That we may submit to His acting Will, is requir'd, That we do not murmur at what He doth. 1766 A. Cumming Elements Clock & Watch-work 163 If the same cause, that enlarges the diameter of the Ballance be made to shorten the acting part of the Spring in a due proportion..; the times of Vibration will remain the same. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 356 The acting faces of the leaves of the pinion should be parts of an interior epicycloid..and the acting surfaces of the teeth of the wheel should be portions of an exterior epicycloid. 1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 513 The root of all these difficulties seems to be a confusion in our idea of..an acting force. 1909 H. Münsterberg Eternal Values xii. 341 The moral will which is anchored in the absolute self-value of the acting person also represents the higher stage of the self-development. 1960 A. Koestler Lotus & Robot ii. xi. 243 The split between the acting self and the self-observing self disappears. 1985 C. K. Cook Line by Line p. xvii The subject of such a sentence would become an indirect object if you revised the structure to make the subject the acting element. 1995 Independent 1 Feb. 1/1 Thallium, a slow-acting but deadly poison which is difficult to diagnose until it is too late. 2. Of a person: doing a job nominally shared with another or others who may not have an active role; (also) temporarily doing the job or duties of another. Chiefly preceding a title of office or occupation. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > position or job > [adjective] honorary1631 acting1694 superannuable1937 society > authority > office > [adjective] > holding office > temporary acting1797 1694 in W. Brown Praxis Almæ Curiæ Cancellariæ 415 F. who was the Plaintiffs Guardian, and the only acting Trustee. 1749 J. Wood Ess. Descr. Bath (ed. 2) II. iii. iv. 262 The acting Members of the Corporation then thought it necessary..to Re-build it. 1797 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1846) VII. 133 The Gunner of the Peterell not having joined, I shall put John Brady acting into the Peterell. 1801 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) IV. 287 Our friend Troubridge will tell you his opinion of the present Acting-Captain of the San Josef. 1832 H. Martineau Hill & Valley ii. 19 He resolved..to be an acting partner. 1873 Porcupine 24 May 124/1 The proud position of acting editor of the Mail is a far higher honour than that of any collector of Customs, acting or inactive. 1938 A. W. Griswold Far Eastern Policy of U.S. ii. 63 He served as Assistant Secretary of State under Olney, during part of which period..he filled the gap between Olney and Sherman as Acting Secretary. 1946 J. Irving Royal Navalese 19 Acting Unpaid. A rating who is granted permission by his Captain to wear some badge or mark of rank..although, by regulation, he is not entitled to it and cannot therefore be paid accordingly. 2008 Lloyd's List (Nexis) 8 May 3 Stanley Sher is to be interim acting president until Mr Koch's return. 3. That performs dramatically. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > acting > [adjective] > acting staged1569 acting1854 play-acting1875 1854 N.-Y. Daily Times 30 Mar. 5/1 (advt.) Acting dogs, &c, this afternoon, at Barnum's. 1881 T. Hardy in Harper's Mag. Aug. 452/2 None of the acting ladies and gentlemen had emerged from their dressing rooms as yet. 1930 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 2 Dec. 11/5 William Morris toured vaudeville with an act of his own authorship, titled ‘All the Horrors of Home’, supported by his wife, and his three acting children. 1983 E. Mordden Broadway Babies xiii. 166 Not till R & H instituted the musical play was there any regular need for acting performers. 1999 J. A. Helgren Communicating with your Cat 141/2 It's important for acting cats to be able to do their tricks reliably even when the trainer is some distance away. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1590adj.1595
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