active

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Antonyms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 See also 1.3.5 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.5 External links 2 French 2.1 Adjective 3 Romanian 3.1 Pronunciation 3.2 Adjective 4 Spanish 4.1 Verb

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

< Middle English actif < Old French actif < Latin activus < agere (“‘to do, to act’”); see act.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈæktɪv/, SAMPA: /"{ktIv/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Adjective

active (comparative more active, superlative most active)

1. Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; — opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; — opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct.

   active laws

   active hostilities

   an active volcano

4. Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; — opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; — opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; — opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
8. Implying or producing rapid action.

   an active disease

   an active remedy

9. (grammar) Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
10. (grammar) Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
11. (grammar) Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
12. (gay sexual slang) (of a homosexual man) enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner
13. (gay sexual slang) such a role in anal sex

[edit] Synonyms

• (1): acting
• (2): agile, nimble
• (3): in action, in force, working
• (4): busy, diligent, energetic
• (6): operative, practical
• (7): brisk, lively
• (9.2): transitive
• (10): top
• See also Wikisaurus:active

[edit] Antonyms

• (1): passive
• (2): indolent, lethargic
• (3): dormant, extinct, quiescent
• (4): dull, indolent, inert, sluggish
• (5): sedentary, tranquil
• (6): speculative, theoretical
• (7): slow
• (9.1): passive
• (10): passive, bottom

[edit] Related terms

• act

[edit] See also

• versatile (in relation to sense 10)

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

active (plural actives)

1. A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.

[edit] External links

• active in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• active in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

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[edit] French

[edit] Adjective

active f.

1. Feminine of actif

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[edit] Romanian

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: [ak'ti.ve]

[edit] Adjective

active

1. feminine plural nominative form of activ.
2. feminine plural accusative form of activ.
3. neuter plural nominative form of activ.
4. neuter plural accusative form of activ.

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[edit] Spanish

[edit] Verb

active (infinitive: activar)

1. first-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of activar.
2. formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of activar.
3. third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted^?) present subjunctive form of activar.