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   Ac·tion

   /ˈakSHən/

   

   noun

   • 1. the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim: "he vowed to take tougher action against persistent offenders" Similar stepsmeasuresactivitymovementworkworkingeffortexertionoperation
   • ▪ the way in which something such as a chemical has an effect or influence: "the seeds require the catalytic action of water to release hotness" Similar effectinfluencepowerworkingworkresultconsequence
   • ▪ the events represented in a story or play: "the action is set in the country"
   • ▪ exciting or notable activity: informal "people in the media want to be where the action is" Similar excitementactivitybustlehappeningsoccurrencesproceedingseventsincidentsepisodeseventualitieschain of eventsinformal:goings-on
   • ▪ used by a movie director as a command to begin: "lights, camera, action"
   • 2. a thing done; an act: "she frequently questioned his actions" Similar deedactactivitymovegestureundertakingexploitmaneuverachievementaccomplishmentventureenterpriseendeavoreffortexertionworkhandiworkdoingcreationperformancebehaviorconductreactionresponse
   • ▪ a gesture or movement: "his actions emphasized his words"
   • 3. a manner or style of doing something, typically the way in which a mechanism works or a person moves: "the weapon has speed and smooth action"
   • ▪ the mechanism that makes a machine or instrument work: "a piano with an escapement action"
   • 4. armed conflict: "servicemen listed as missing in action during the war" Similar fightinghostilitiesbattleconflictarmed conflictcombatwarfarewarbloodshedengagementclashencounterconfrontationskirmishaffray
   • ▪ a military engagement: "a rearguard action" Similar fightinghostilitiesbattleconflictarmed conflictcombatwarfarewarbloodshedengagementclashencounterconfrontationskirmishaffray
   • 5. a legal process; a lawsuit: "an action for damages" Similar lawsuitlegal actionsuitsuit at lawcasecauseprosecutionlitigationlegal disputelegal contestproceedingslegal proceedingsjudicial proceedings

   Word Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio(n-), from agere ‘do, act’.

   Scrabble Points: 8

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