Act, vb. 1) absol. to perform the proper functions, to work, to be in action: “we do not a. that often jest,” Wiv. IV, 2, 108 (in a lascivious sense; cf. Do and the subst. “Act). the resolute --ing of your blood,” Meas. II, 1, 12. “to a. in safety,” Mcb. III, 1, 54. Hml. V, 1, 12.
2) tr. a) to perform, execute: “I did but a., he's author of thy slander,” Ven. 1006. “to a. her commands,” Tp. I, 2, 273. Wiv. II, 1, 101. Meas. II, 2, 104. Tw. V, 348. John IV, 2, 240. Rom. IV, 1, 120. Caes. II, 1, 63. Mcb. III, 4, 140. IV, 3, 97. Hml. III, 1, 129. III, 4, 108. IV, 5, 125. Lr. II, 1, 20. Oth. I, 1, 172. Per. I, 1, 92.
b) to set to work, to put in action: “here is a hand to hold a sceptre up and with the same to a. controlling laws,” H6B V, 1, 103. “till strange love, grown bold, think true love --ed simple modesty,” Rom. III, 2, 16. “let the world see his nobleness well --ed,” Ant. V, 2, 45.
c) to represent, to perform (as a player): Pilgr. 152. Gent. IV, 4, 174. Wiv. III, 3, 40. Tw. I, 4, 26. Wint. V, 2, 88. H4B IV, 5, 99. H4B IV, 5, 99. H6C V, 6, 10. H8 I, 2, 195. Troil. I, 3, 158. Cor. II, 2, 100. Cor. II, 2, 100 Rom. IV, 3, 19. Caes. III, 1, 112. Hml. II, 2, 455. Cymb. III, 3, 95. III, 4, 26.
Shakespeare Lexicon. Alexander Schmidt. Berlin. Georg Reimer. 1902.
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