action [ 'ækʃən] n.行动；作用；功能
action [ 'ækʃən] n.作用；情节
bring into action 使行动起来
put out of action 使失去效用
take action 采取行动；提出诉讼
go into action 开始行动
action ['ækʃən] n. 行动
action ['ækʃən] 动作
ACT （Action Game）：动作类游戏。这类游戏提供玩者一个训练手眼协调及反应力的环境及功能，通常要求玩者所控制的主角（人或物）根据周遭情况变化做出一定的动作，如移动、跳跃、攻击、躲避、防守等，来达到游戏所要求的目标。此类游戏讲究逼真的形体动作、火爆的打斗效果、良好的操作手感及复杂的攻击组合等等。
纪律处分 disciplinary action
纠正措施计划 corrective action plan
corrective action 矫正行动
marketing action plan 营销行动计划
action by . . .
由……办理；经办人：……
action checklist
覆核备忘
action copy to . . .
供办事用的文件送交……
action plan
行动计划；行动方案；工作计划
action required
公事待办；待办公事
action taken
公事已办
action to be taken
公事待办
disciplinary action
纪律处分
Ethical Leadership in Action--Handbook for Senior Managers in the Civil Service [Independent Commission Against Corruption]
《持廉守正──公务员管理实务手册》〔廉政公署〕
April 5th Action Group 四五行动
Education Action Group 教育行动组
administrative action 行政裁定
civil action 民事诉讼
corporate action 法人行为
War is an aggressive action of man to man independent of his own will.
战争是人对人的侵略行为，不为其自身意志左右。
Liberty does not consist in mere declarations of the rights of man. It consists in the translation of those declarations into definite actions.
自由并不仅仅是人权宣言，自由在于使这些宣言化为明确的行动。
The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.
自我并非现成之物，而是通过行为的选择不断形成的。
When a boy hit his brother, his brother may respond to this action by hitting back.
当一个男孩动手打他的兄弟，他兄弟可能会动手回击。
I take full responsibility for this action.
我对这次行动负全部责任。
His actions offended against the rules of proper behavior.
他的行为违背了举止得体的准则。
He was brought to the trial court because of his criminal actions.
由于他的犯罪行为，他被送到了初审法院。
It is important to understand the powerful economic and social forces at work behind their actions.
重要的是要懂得在这些措施的后面，经济和政治的力量所起的强大作用。
We do not often consider the morality of our daily actions, though that should occupy a high position in our thinking.
虽然道德应在我们心目中占重要位置，可我们很少关心日常行为的道德问题。
What, in your judgment, is the best course of action?
依你看，什么是最佳的行动方针？
They should be judged by their actions, not by what they say.
应该根据他们的行动，而不是根据他们所说的话来对他们进行判断。
Most people assume actions speak louder than words.
大多数人认为行动胜过言辞。
He said her actions speak louder than her words; she's never kept a promise.
他说她的行动胜于言辞，可她从不守诺。
The thief's actions called for a heavy punishment, and the judge sentenced him to ten years in prison.
那个小偷的行为应予严惩，法官判了他10年监禁。
The mayor surveyed the situation before taking action.
市长在采取行动之前对情况作了调查。
The company resolved to take further actions against the thieves.
公司决定采取进一步的防盗措施。
He hasn’t specified what action he would take in response to their behavior.
他还没有说明会对他们的行为采取什么应对措施。
These words could not stir him to take action.
这番话不足以促使他采取行动。
There seems to be a contradiction between her words and actions.
她言行似乎矛盾。
The prompt action of the policemen saved the people in the house from being burned.
警察迅速行动救出了房里的人，使他们没被烧死。
A prompt action is done without any delay.
迅速的行动完成得很果断。
He countered our criticism with a powerful defence of his actions.
他为自己的行动做了有力的辩护，反驳了我们对他的批评。
She threatened legal action against the company for breach of copyright.
她威胁要起诉该公司侵犯版权。
We need more than listening. We need action!我们需要的不光是听得进意见，我们要的是行动。
The release of the carbon in these compounds for recycling depends almost entirely on the action of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and certain types of fungi.
这种化合物通过碳的释放来实现循环，主要依靠喜氧和厌氧细菌以及一些菌类的活动。
While a selection of necessary details is involved in both, the officer must remain neutral and clearly try to present a picture of the facts, while the artist usually begins with a preconceived message or attitude which is then transmitted through the use of carefully selected details of action described in words intended to provoke associations and emotional reactions in the reader.
尽管收集必要的信息对于两者来说都是需要的，但官员必须以中立和清晰的态度来提供事实的画面，而艺术家从已设字的信息或者态度开始，并将其过用激发读者共鸣和情绪反应的词语描写的动用细节描述出来。
Great comic artists assume that truth may bear all lights, and thus they seek to accentuate contradictions in social action, not gloss over or transcend them by appeals to extrasocial symbols of divine ends, cosmic purpose, or laws of nature.
大喜剧家们认为真理需要各种启示，因此他们开始强调社会活动中的各种矛盾，而不是掩饰或者通过非社会象征的神圣结局和喜剧目的、自然规律来超越它。
This means that we fit out actions to those of other people based on a constant mental process of appraisal and interpretation.
这意味着我们在不断判断和解释别人的行为的心理过程中进行自己的行为。
If FIFA, football’s international ruling body, wants to improve the standard of refereeing at the next World Cup, it should encourage referees to keep their eyes on the action from a distance, rather than rushing to keep up with the ball, the researcher argues.
研究者们认为：如果国际足球裁判组织FIFA想要在下一届世界杯比赛中提高评判水平的话，就应该远距离观察比赛，而不是冲进球场光盯着足球。
Actions speak louder than words.
行动胜于空谈。
The action lasted three hours.
战斗持续了三个小时。
The union said that they would take action to defend their member's jobs.
工会说他们将采取行动维护会员的工作权益。
他是个有才干的人。
He's a go-getter. *go-getter“有才能的人”，“干将”。
He runs a lot of business. (他有很多生意。)
Yeah, he's a go-getter. (是呀!他是个有才干的人。)
He's a man of action.
He's a man of ability.
He's a wheeler-dealer. *比较旧的说法。
我后悔我做的事。
I regret doing that.
I regret doing that. (我后悔我做的事。)
I know what you mean. (我明白你的意思。)
I regret my action(s).
I repent my action(s).
I am sorry for what I have done.
Someday you're going to have to face the music for your actions.
总有一天，你将不得不承担自己的行为所带来的后果。
It's full of hot air.
这是雷声大雨点小。
= Lots of talk and no action.
A common danger causes common action.
同仇敌忾。
Action is the proper fruit of knowledge.
行动是知识的巧果。
Actions speak louder than words.
事实胜于雄辩。
A man is not good or bad for one action.
判断人的好坏不能凭一次行为。
A man's actions show his character.
行为可显出一个人的品性。
Brave actions never want a trumpet.
勇敢的行为不须要吹号。
Counsel after action is like rain after harvest.
放马后炮。
Deliberate in counsel, prompt in action.
考虑要仔细，行动要迅速。
Life is measured by thought and action, not by time.
生命的价值是用思想和行为来衡量的，而不是寿命的长短。
Lose not time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
不要浪费时间，做些有益的事情，停止一切不必要的行动。
Our own actions are our security, not others' judgements.
我们的行为是自己的保证而不是别人的鉴定。
Strong reasons make strong actions.
理由充足，行动就坚决。
Suit the action to the word.
怎么说就怎么做。
Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.
做事要深思熟虑，但时机一到，就要动手，不要犹豫。
The only cure for grief is action.
行动是对悲痛唯一的治疗。
The past is for wisdom, the present for action, but for joy the future.
过去是为了求取知识，现在是为了付诸行动，而未来是为了享受欢乐。
Thought is the seed of action.
思想是行动的种子。
Capillary action 毛细管作用
Wetting action 润湿作用
Wetting action 润湿作用
That is one of the rewards of competition: you can drop down a couple of notches on the food
chain to be as brutal , unsympathetic , selfish and inhuman as you wish in the name of
competition because success supposedly justifies any actions.
Howard Mel, American writer
这就是竞争所得到的一种报酬：你可以将自己在食物链上的身份降低几个档次，打着竞争的旗号，随你所愿地
野蛮、无情、自私和不人道；因为据称，成功可以使任何行动成为正当的（胜者为王败者为寇）
美国作家梅尔.H.
Life is measured by thought and action, not by time.
J. Lubbock British banker and statesman
衡量生命的尺度是思想和行动，而不是时间。
英国银行家、政治家卢伯克.J.
A new breeze is blowing --and a nation refreshed by freedom stands ready to push on : there is new ground to be broken, and new action to be taken.
George Bush, American President
一种新颖的风正在吹拂,为激励的民族随时准备向前推进；新的道路有待开拓，新的行动有待采取。
The greatest pleasure I know, is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by accident.
Charles Lamn, British essayist
据我所知，最大的乐趣是暗中做好事又被人偶然发现。
英国散文家兰姆.C.
If democracy is to survive, it is the task of men of thoughts, as well as men of action, to put aside pride and prejudice; and with courage and single-minded devotion---- to find the truth and teach the truth that shall keep men free.
Franklin Roosevelt, American pesident
傲慢与偏见；他们要有勇气，有全心全意的献身精神，最重要的是要有谦虚精神，去寻求与传播那使人民永保自由的真理。
美国总统罗斯福。F.
The enlargement consists, not merely in the passive reception into the mind of a number of ideas hitherto unknown to it, but in the mind's energetic and simultaneous action upon and towards and among those new ideas.
Jonh Henry. British Newman Priest
扩增知识不仅是被动的将一堆原来不知道的观念接纳到脑子里来，而是把涌来的新观念作用于积极、活跃的脑部活动。这是一种极具创造力的行动。
英国纽曼红衣主教亨利.J
Experience is the child of thought , and thought is the child of action. We cannot learn men from books.
Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman
经验是思想之子，思想是行动之子，了解他人不可以书本为据。英国政治家迪斯雷利B .
Action is the last resource of those who know not how to dream.
Oscar Wilde, British dramatis
不善于想象的人一切乞求于行动。
英国剧作家王尔德O .
Action is consolatory. It is the enemy of thought and the friend of glittering illusions.
Joseph Conrad, British novelist
行动是令人安慰的，它是思想的敌人，是美好幻想的朋友。
英国小说家康拉得. J .
Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for
responsibility.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian
行动并不来自思想，而是来自愿意承担责任。
德国神学家邦赫费尔. D .
Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.
R.Lowell James, American poet and critic
人们生来就认识人世间所有美好的情感都不如一个高尚的行动显得更有力量。
美国诗人、评论家詹姆斯R L
Nothing is more terrible than ignorance in action.
Desiderius Eramus, Dutch humanist
最可怕的事莫过于行动中的无知。
荷兰人文主义者伊拉莫斯.D.
Strong reasons make strong actions.
William Shakespeare, British dramatist
强有力的理由产生强有力的行动。
英国剧作家莎士比亚W .
Take time to deliberate ; but when the time for action arrives ,stop thinking and go in .
John Albion Andrew, American Ieader against slavery
考虑时不要匆忙，但是一旦行动的时刻来到，就要毫不犹豫地投身行动。
美国废奴运动领导人安德鲁. J .A .
The world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation, The hand is more important than the eye…The hand is the cutting edge of the mind.
Jacob Bronowski, writer of the former soviet Union
只有勇敢付诸于行动而不是瞻前顾后，才能掌握这个世界。手比眼睛更加重要……手是思想的利剑。
前苏联作家布洛夫斯基. J .
Words and deeds are quite indifferent 23modes of the divine 24energy. Words are also action, and actions are a kind of words.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, American thinker
语言和行动是人的非凡活力的两种普通的表现形式。语言也是行动，行动也是语言。
美国思想家爱默生. R .W.
Words have a magical power. They can bring either the greatest happiness or deepest despair; can transfer knowledge from teacher to students words enable the orator to sway his audience and dictate its decisions .Words are capable of arousing the strongest emotions and prompting all man's actions , Do not ridicule the use of words in psychotherapy.
Sigmund Freud, German Psychiatrist
言辞具有不可思议的力量。他们能带来最大的幸福，也能带来最深的失望；能把知识从教师传给学生；言辞能使演说者左右他的听众，，并强行代替他们作出决定。言辞能激起最大强烈的情感，促进人的一切行动。不要嘲笑言辞在心理治疗当中的的用途。
德国精神分析学家弗洛伊德S
The court dismissed the action.
法院驳回诉讼。
@@@ 活动, 行动
active volcano 活火山
bring into action 使行动起来
change of pace 变换活动; 换口味
do about 对...想某种办法或采取某种行动
get in on 参加(活动), 加入
get off the ground (指活动、事业等)顺利开始
get the ball rolling 开始某种活动, 开始
get under way 开动
go around 四处活动; 散布, 传播
leave for 动身前往(某地)
recreation center 活动中心
set in motion 开动; 使...运转; 调动...
set out (for) 朝...方向去; 动身去...
start out 开始时打算, 本来想要; 动身
take action 行动, 采取行动
Remember how to talk simply about regular actions, things you do everyday or every week, e.g.: I watch the programs every week / I watch the programmes every week.
记住怎样谈论有规律地做的事情，如每天或者每周做的事情，例如：I watch the programs every week / 我每周看节目。
按兵不动 [àn bīng bù dòng] /not throw the troops into battle/bide one's time/take on action/
步调一致 [bù diào yí zhì] /to be united in action/
不约而同 [bù yuē ér tóng] /take the same action or view without prior consultation/happen to coincide/
采取 [cǎi qǔ] /adopt or carry out (measures, policies, course of action)/to take/
措 [cuò] /put in order/arrange/administer/execute/take action on/
打招呼 [dǎ zhāo hu ] /(v) greet sb by word or action/(v) give prior notice/
动作 [dòng zuò] /movement/motion/action/
独立自主 [dú lì zì zhǔ] /(idiom) self-determination; independence of action; maintain control/
方案 [fāng àn] /plan/program (for action, etc)/proposal/proposed bill/
分寸 [fēn cùn] /(n) the limits of proper speech or action/
附和 [fù hè] /(v) repeat in agreement (actions; words)/
回 [huí] /(a measure word for matters or actions) a time/to circle/to go back/to turn around/to answer/to return/to revolve/Islam/
抗药性 [kàng yào xìng] /resistance to action of a drug/
起来 [qǐ lai ] /beginning or continuing an action/upward movement/stand up/
请愿 [qǐng yuàn] /petition (for action to be taken)/
人民行动党 [rén mín xíng dòng dǎng] /People's Action Party (ruling party in Singapore)/
手脚 [shǒu jiǎo] /movement of limbs/action/trick/
行动 [xíng dòng] /operation/action/to move/mobile/
行为 [xíng wéi] /action/conduct/behavior/activity/
一举 [yī jǔ] /(n) move; an act; an action/(adv) with one move; at one stroke/
着 [zhe ] /-ing part. (indicates an action in progress)/part. coverb-forming after some verbs/
作法 [zuò fǎ] /course of action/method of doing something/practice/modus operandi/
作为 [zuò wéi] /accomplish/action/to regard (sth as sth)/to look upon (sth as)/conduct/
作用 [zuò yòng] /action/activity/actions/acts/effect/to play a role/
Despite a spell of initial optimism in the 1960s and 1970s when it appeared that transistor circuits and microprocessors might be able to copy the action of the human brain by the year 2010, researchers lately have begun to extend that forecast by decades if not centuries.
虽然一开始在20世纪60年代和70年代有过一段乐观的时期——那时候仿佛晶体管电路和微处理器的发展将使他们在2010年能够模仿人类大脑的活动——但是最近研究人员已经开始将这个预测延后数十年，甚至数百年。
Although it ruled that there is no constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide, the Court in effect supported the medical principle of "double effect, "a centuries-old moral principle holding that an action having two effects — a good one that is intended and a harmful one that is foreseen — is permissible if the actor intends only the good effect.
尽管裁决认为，宪法没有赋予医生帮助病人自杀的权利，然而最高法庭实际上却认可了医疗界的“双效”原则，这个存在了好几个世纪的道德原则认为，如果某种行为具有双重效果（希望达到的好效果和可以预见得到的坏效果），那么，只要行为实施只是想达到好的效果，这个行为就是可以允许的。
In the first year or so of Web business, most of the action has revolved around efforts to tap the consumer market.
大约在网上交易的第一年当中，大部分业务活动都是围绕着努力开发消费者市场来进行的。
The researchers made great progress in the early 1970s, when they discovered that oncogenes, which are cancer-causing genes, are inactive in normal cells.
研究人员在70年代早期取得了很大进展，他们发现导致癌症的癌基因在正常细胞里是不活跃的。
Anything from cosmic rays to radiation to diet may activate a dormant oncogene, but how remains unknown.
从宇宙射线、辐射到日常饮食，任何东西都可能激活一个处于静止状态下的致癌基因，但如何激活尚不为人知。
If several oncogenes are driven into action, the cell, unable to turn them off, becomes cancerous.
如果若干癌基因被激活，细胞无力排除也就演变成了癌细胞。
"First, we need to understand how the normal cell controls itself. Second, we have to determine whether there are a limited number of genes in cells which are always responsible for at least part of the trouble. If we can understand how cancer works, we can counteract its action."
“首先，我们需要了解正常细胞如何控制自己。其次，我们必须查明细胞中是否有一定数量的基因对至少部分麻烦总是负有责任。如果我们能弄清癌症的活动规律，我们就能采取相应的措施。”
{adj: accidental, inadvertent} without intention (especially resulting from heedless action)
"with an inadvertent gesture she swept the vase off the table"
"accidental poisoning"
"an accidental shooting"
{adj: accountable} liable to account for one's actions
"governments must be accountable to someone beside themselves"
"fully accountable for what they did"
"the court held the parents answerable for their minor child's acts of vandalism"
"he was answerable to no one"
{adj: actionable} affording grounds for legal action
"slander is an actionable offense"
{adj: activating, actuating} causing motion or action or change
{adj: active, dynamic} expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')
<-> stative
{adj: active} characterized by energetic activity
"an active toddler"
"active as a gazelle"
"an active man is a man of action"
<-> inactive
{adj: active} disposed to take action or effectuate change
"a director who takes an active interest in corporate operations"
"an active antagonism"
"he was active in drawing attention to their grievances"
<-> passive
{adj: actuated} moved to action
"a man actuated by unworthy desired"
{adj: adjuvant} enhancing the action of a medical treatment
"the adjuvant action of certain bacteria"
{adj: adrenergic, sympathomimetic} relating to epinephrine (its release or action)
{adj: adroit} quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
"an exceptionally adroit pianist"
"an adroit technician"
"his adroit replies to hecklers won him many followers"
"an adroit negotiator"
<-> maladroit
{adj: advisable} worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise
"such action is neither necessary nor advisable"
"extreme caution is advisable"
"it is advisable to telephone first"
<-> inadvisable
{adj: anticholinergic} inhibiting or blocking the action of acetylcholine at a receptor site
"anticholinergic drugs"
<-> cholinergic
{adj: anti} not in favor of (an action or proposal etc.)
<-> pro
{adj: aqueous, sedimentary} produced by the action of water
<-> igneous
{adj: aroused} aroused to action
"the aroused opposition"
{adj: autonomous, self-directed, self-reliant} (of persons) free from external control and constraint in e.g. action and judgment
{adj: bactericidal, disinfectant, germicidal} preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms
{adj: barbarous, brutal, cruel, fell, roughshod, savage, vicious} (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
"a barbarous crime"
"brutal beatings"
"cruel tortures"
"Stalin's roughshod treatment of the kulaks"
"a savage slap"
"vicious kicks"
{adj: barricaded, barred, blockaded} preventing entry or exit or a course of action
"a barricaded street"
"barred doors"
"the blockaded harbor"
{adj: blind} unable or unwilling to perceive or understand
"blind to a lover's faults"
"blind to the consequences of their actions"
{adj: bouncing, bouncy, peppy, spirited, zippy} marked by lively action
"a bouncing gait"
"bouncy tunes"
"the peppy and interesting talk"
"a spirited dance"
{adj: carcinogenic} causing or tending to cause cancer
"the carcinogenic action of certain chemicals"
{adj: catapultic, catapultian} of or like a catapult
"a catapultic kind of action"
{adj: catastrophic, ruinous} extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin
"a catastrophic depression"
"catastrophic illness"
"a ruinous course of action"
{adj: caustic, corrosive, erosive, vitriolic, mordant} of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
{adj: cautious} cautious in attitude and careful in actions; prudent
"a cautious answer"
"very cautious about believing everything she was told"
{adj: centrist, middle-of-the-road} supporting or pursuing a course of action that is neither liberal nor conservative
{adj: changing, ever-changing} marked by continuous change or effective action
{adj: checked, curbed} held back from some action especially by force
{adj: circumspect, discreet} heedful of potential consequences
"circumspect actions"
"physicians are now more circumspect about recommending its use"
"a discreet investor"
{adj: combined, concerted, conjunct, conjunctive, cooperative, united} involving the joint activity of two or more
"the attack was met by the combined strength of two divisions"
"concerted action"
"the conjunct influence of fire and strong wind"
"the conjunctive focus of political opposition"
"a cooperative effort"
"a united effort"
"joint military activities"
{adj: committed} bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
"committed church members"
"a committed Marxist"
<-> uncommitted
{adj: complacent, self-satisfied, self-complacent} contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
"he had become complacent after years of success"
"his self-satisfied dignity"
{adj: confident, surefooted, sure-footed} not liable to error in judgment or action
"most surefooted of the statesmen who dealt with the depression"- Walter Lippman
"demonstrates a surefooted storytelling talent"- Michiko Kakutani
{adj: confining, constraining, constrictive, limiting, restricting} restricting the scope or freedom of action
{adj: controversial} marked by or capable of arousing controversy
"the issue of the death penalty is highly controversial"
"Rushdie's controversial book"
"a controversial decision on affirmative action"
<-> uncontroversial
{adj: corrective, disciplinary, disciplinal} designed to promote discipline
"the teacher's action was corrective rather than instructional"
"disciplinal measures"
"the mother was stern and disciplinary"
{adj: counteractive} opposing or neutralizing or mitigating an effect by contrary action
{adj: counterinsurgent} of or relating or characteristic of actions taken by a government to defeat insurgency
{adj: covert} secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed
"covert actions by the CIA"
"covert funding for the rebels"
<-> overt
{adj: delayed-action} operating after a predetermined lapse of time
"a delayed-action bomb"
{adj: desperate, heroic} showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort
"made a last desperate attempt to reach the climber"
"the desperate gallantry of our naval task forces marked the turning point in the Pacific war"- G.C.Marshall
"they took heroic measures to save his life"
{adj: developing} making or becoming visible through or as if through the action of a chemical agent
"he watched as the developing photograph became clearer and sharper"
{adj: direct} extended senses; direct in means or manner or behavior or language or action
"a direct question"
"a direct response"
"a direct approach"
<-> indirect
{adj: disabled, hors de combat, out of action} so badly injured as to be excused from continuing
"disabled veterans"
{adj: discouraging} depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action
"where never is heard a discouraging word"
<-> encouraging
{adj: disobliging, uncooperative} intentionally unaccommodating
"the action was not offensive to him but proved somewhat disobliging"
{adj: dissuasive} deterring from action
"dissuasive advice"
"made a slight dissuasive gesture with her hand"
<-> persuasive
{adj: driven, impelled} urged or forced to action through moral pressure
"felt impelled to take a stand against the issue"
{adj: dynamic, dynamical} characterized by action or forcefulness or force of personality
"a dynamic market"
"a dynamic speaker"
"the dynamic president of the firm"
<-> undynamic
{adj: earned} gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
"a well-earned reputation for honesty"
"earned income"
"an earned run in baseball"
<-> unearned
{adj: effective, effectual, efficacious} producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
"an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford
"effective teaching methods"
"effective steps toward peace"
"made an effective entrance"
"his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"
"an efficacious law"
<-> ineffective
{adj: emblematic, exemplary, typic} being or serving as an illustration of a type
"the free discussion that is emblematic of democracy"
"an action exemplary of his conduct";
{adj: emergent} occurring unexpectedly and requiring urgent action
"emergent repair of an aorta"
{adj: emphatic, forceful} forceful and definite in expression or action
"the document contained a particularly emphatic guarantee of religious liberty"
{adj: enlightening, informative, illuminating} tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance
"an enlightening glimpse of government in action"
"an illuminating lecture"
<-> unenlightening
{adj: ethical, honorable, honourable, moral} adhering to ethical and moral principles
"it seems ethical and right"
"followed the only honorable course of action"
"had the moral courage to stand alone"
{adj: evasive} avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger especially enemy fire
"pilots are taught to take evasive action"
{adj: extreme} beyond a norm in views or actions
"an extreme conservative"
"an extreme liberal"
"extreme views on integration"
"extreme opinions"
{adj: extremist, radical, ultra} (used of opinions and actions) far beyond the norm
"extremist political views"
"radical opinions on education"
"an ultra conservative"
{adj: faltering} unsteady in speech or action
{adj: far} beyond a norm in opinion or actions
"the far right"
{adj: flying} designed for swift movement or action
"a flying police squad is trained for quick action anywhere in the city"
{adj: future, later, ulterior} coming at a subsequent time or stage
"the future president entered college at the age of 16"
"awaiting future actions on the bill"
"later developments"
"without ulterior argument"
{adj: gallant} unflinching in battle or action
"a gallant warrior"
"put up a gallant resistance to the attackers"
{adj: glaciated} covered with ice (as by a glacier) or affected by glacial action
{adj: go} functioning correctly and ready for action
"all systems are go"
<-> no-go
{adj: haphazard, hit-or-miss} dependent upon or characterized by chance
"a haphazard plan of action"
"his judgment is rather hit-or-miss"
{adj: hostile} characterized by enmity or ill will
"a hostile nation"
"a hostile remark"
"hostile actions"
<-> amicable
{adj: idle} not in action or at work
"an idle laborer"
"idle drifters"
"the idle rich"
"an idle mind"
<-> busy
{adj: igneous, eruptive} produced by the action of fire or intense heat
"rocks formed by igneous agents"
<-> aqueous
{adj: ill-considered, ill-judged, improvident, shortsighted} not given careful consideration
"ill-considered actions often result in disaster"
"an ill-judged attempt"
{adj: imaginative, ingenious, inventive} (used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
"an imaginative use of material"
"the invention of the knitting frame by another ingenious English clergyman"- Lewis Mumford
"an ingenious device"
"had an inventive turn of mind"
"inventive ceramics"
{adj: imperative} requiring attention or action
"as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative"
"requests that grew more and more imperative"
<-> beseeching
{adj: inadvisable} not advisable
"an unnecessary and inadvisable action"
{adj: incendiary, incitive, inflammatory, instigative, rabble-rousing, seditious} arousing to action or rebellion
{adj: indefatigable, tireless, unflagging, unwearying} showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality
"an indefatigable advocate of equal rights"
"a tireless worker"
"unflagging pursuit of excellence"
{adj: indicative, indicatory, revelatory, significative, suggestive} (usually followed by `of') pointing out or revealing clearly
"actions indicative of fear"
{adj: indifferent} showing no care or concern in attitude or action
"indifferent to the sufferings of others"
"indifferent to her plea"
{adj: indirect} extended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action
"making indirect but legitimate inquiries"
"an indirect insult"
"doubtless they had some indirect purpose in mind"
"though his methods are indirect they are not dishonest"
"known as a shady indirect fellow"
<-> direct
{adj: inhibitory, repressive, repressing} restrictive of action
"a repressive regime"
"an overly strict and inhibiting discipline"
{adj: irresponsible} showing lack of care for consequences
"behaved like an irresponsible idiot"
"hasty and irresponsible action"
<-> responsible
{adj: laid low, stricken} put out of action (by illness)
{adj: liable} subject to legal action
"liable to criminal charges"
{adj: mechanic} resembling the action of a machine
"from blank to blank a threadless way I pushed mechanic feet"- Emily Dickenson
{adj: mindful, aware} bearing in mind; attentive to
"ever mindful of her health"
"mindful of his responsibilities"
"mindful of these criticisms, I shall attempt to justify my action"
<-> unmindful
{adj: missing} not able to be found
"missing in action"
"a missing person"
{adj: motivated} provided with a motive or given incentive for action
"a highly motivated child can learn almost anything"
"a group of politically motivated men"
<-> unmotivated
{adj: motivative, motive, motivating} impelling to action
"it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function"- Arthur Pap
"motive pleas"
"motivating arguments"
{adj: necessary} unavoidably determined by prior circumstances
"the necessary consequences of one's actions"
{adj: noncommittal} refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action or view or the like
"her boyfriend was noncommittal about their future together"
{adj: nonnatural, otherworldly, preternatural, transcendental} existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
"find transcendental motives for sublunary action"-Aldous Huxley
{adj: obstructed} shut off to passage or view or hindered from action
"a partially obstructed passageway"
"an obstructed view"
"justice obstructed is not justice"
<-> unobstructed
{adj: on the alert, on the job} watchful and prepared for action
"bird watchers on the alert for a rare species"
"cops were on the job and caught them red-handed"
{adj: on-the-spot, on-the-scene} at the scene of action
"an on-the-spot reporter"
"on-the-spot inspections"
"an on-the scene newscast"
{adj: one, unitary} having the indivisible character of a unit
"a unitary action"
"spoke with one voice"
{adj: operational} pertaining to a process or series of actions for achieving a result
"operational difficulties"
"they assumed their operational positions"
{adj: orderly, systematic} not haphazard
"a series of orderly actions at regular hours"
{adj: passive} expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb
"academics seem to favor passive sentences"
<-> active
{adj: peremptory} putting an end to all debate or action
"a peremptory decree"
{adj: persuasive} tending or intended or having the power to induce action or belief
"persuasive eloquence"
"a most persuasive speaker"
<-> dissuasive
{adj: poised} marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
"a gull in poised flight"
"George's poised hammer"
{adj: predigested} artificially partially digested as by enzymatic action
"predigested foods are a boon for those who are ill or have impaired digestion"
{adj: preset, predetermined} set in advance
"a preset plan of action"
"at a predetermined time"
{adj: pressing, urgent} compelling immediate action
"too pressing to permit of longer delay"
"the urgent words `Hurry! Hurry!'"
"bridges in urgent need of repair"
{adj: proactive} (of a policy or person or action) controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than waiting to respond to it after it happens
{adj: progressive, reformist, reform-minded} favoring or promoting reform (often by government action)
{adj: pro} in favor of (an action or proposal etc.)
"a pro vote"
<-> anti
{adj: ready} completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
"get ready"
"she is ready to resign"
"the bridge is ready to collapse"
"I am ready to work"
"ready for action"
"ready for use"
"the soup will be ready in a minute"
"ready to learn to read"
<-> unready
{adj: rough-and-tumble, bare-knuckle, bare-knuckled} characterized by disorderly action and disregard for rules
"a rough-and-tumble fight"
"rough-and-tumble politics"
"undisguised bare-knuckle capitalism"
{adj: rousing} rousing to activity or heightened action as by spurring or goading
"tossed a rousing political comment into the conversation"
{adj: scrambled} thrown together in a disorderly fashion
"a scrambled plan of action"
{adj: seductive} tending to entice into a desired action or state
<-> unseductive
{adj: self-conscious, self-aware} aware of yourself as an individual or of your own being and actions and thoughts
"self-conscious awareness"
"self-conscious about their roles as guardians of the social values"- D.M.Potter
{adj: septic} of or relating to or caused by putrefaction
"the septic action occurs at the bottom of the septic tank"
{adj: slapstick} characterized by horseplay and physical action
"slapstick style of humor"
{adj: smart} capable of independent and apparently intelligent action
"smart weapons"
{adj: springlike} resembling a spring or the action of a spring
{adj: stative} expressing existence or a state rather than an action; used of verbs (e.g. `be' or `own') and most participial adjectives
<-> active
{adj: strategic} highly important to or an integral part of a strategy or plan of action especially in war
"a strategic chess move"
"strategic withdrawal"
"strategic bombing missions"
{adj: sublunar, sublunary, terrestrial} of this earth
"transcendental motives for sublunary actions"
"fleeting sublunary pleasures"
"the nearest to an angelic being that treads this terrestrial ball"
{adj: synchronous, synchronal, synchronic} occurring or existing at the same time or having the same period or phase
"recovery was synchronous with therapy"- Jour.A.M.A.
"a synchronous set of clocks"
"the synchronous action of a bird's wings in flight"
"synchronous oscillations"
<-> asynchronous
{adj: torrential} relating to or resulting from the action of a torrent
"torrential erosion"
"torrential adaptations seen in some aquatic forms"
{adj: treated} subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
"the sludge of treated sewage can be used as fertilizer"
"treated timbers resist rot"
"treated fabrics resist wrinkling"
<-> untreated
{adj: true-to-life, true to life} representing things or actions or conditions as they actually are
"the novel about ghetto life was true to life"
"true-to-life duck decoys"
{adj: unbuttoned, unlaced} not under constraint in action or expression
"this unbuttoned and disrespectful age"- Curtis Bok
"unlaced behavior in the neighborhood pub"
{adj: unchanging} conforming to the same principles or course of action over time
{adj: unclear} not clear to the mind
"the law itself was unclear on that point"
"the reason for their actions is unclear to this day"
<-> clear
{adj: unconcerned} lacking in interest or care or feeling
"the average American...is unconcerned that his or her plight is the result of a complex of personal and economic and governmental actions...beyond the normal citizen's comprehension and control"
"blithely unconcerned about his friend's plight"
<-> concerned
{adj: unenforced} not enforced; not compelled especially by legal or police action
"too many unenforced laws can breed contempt for law"
<-> enforced
{adj: unexpressed, unsaid, unstated, unuttered, unverbalized, unverbalised, unvoiced, unspoken} not made explicit
"the unexpressed terms of the agreement"
"things left unsaid"
"some kind of unspoken agreement"
"his action is clear but his reason remains unstated"
{adj: unfriendly} not disposed to friendship or friendliness
"an unfriendly coldness of manner"
"an unfriendly action to take"
<-> friendly
{adj: unhampered, unhindered} not slowed or blocked or interfered with
"an outlet for healthy and unhampered action"
"a priest unhampered by scruple"
"the new stock market was unhampered by tradition"
{adj: vacillant, vacillating, wavering} uncertain in purpose or action
{adj: vigorous} characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
"a vigorous hiker"
"gave her skirt a vigorous shake"
"a vigorous campaign"
"a vigorous foreign policy"
"vigorous opposition to the war"
{adj: voltaic, galvanic} pertaining to or producing electric current by chemical action
"a galvanic cell"
"a voltaic (or galvanic) couple"
{adj: waterworn} (of rocks especially) worn smooth by the action of water
{adj: zoic} pertaining to animals or animal life or action
{adv: about, just about, almost, most, all but, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh} (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished
"the job is (just) about done"
"the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded"
"we're almost finished"
"the car all but ran her down"
"he nearly fainted"
"talked for nigh onto 2 hours"
"the recording is well-nigh perfect"
"virtually all the parties signed the contract"
"I was near exhausted by the run"
"most everyone agrees"
{adv: away} indicating continuing action; continuously or steadily
"he worked away at the project for more than a year"
"the child kept hammering away as if his life depended on it"
{adv: catalytically} by catalytic action; in a catalytic manner
"catalytically stabilized combustion of propane"
{adv: in full swing, in full action} proceeding with full vigor
"the party was in full swing"
{adv: ruthlessly} in a ruthless manner
"the government has been urged to take immediate action to deal ruthlessly with the strikers"
{adv: someday} some unspecified time in the future
"someday you will understand my actions"
{adv: still} with reference to action or condition; without change, interruption, or cessation
"it's still warm outside"
"will you still love me when we're old and grey?"
<-> no longer
{n: Abstract Expressionism, action painting} a New York school of painting characterized by freely created abstractions; the first important school of American painting to develop independently of European styles
{n: Bakke decision} a ruling by the Supreme Court on affirmative action; the Court ruled in 1978 that medical schools are entitled to consider race as a factor in their admission policy
{n: Chukaku-Ha} an ultra-leftist militant group founded in 1957 from the breakup of the Japanese Communist Party; includes a covert action wing
"Chukaku-Ha attacks tend to cause property damage rather than casualties"
{n: Distinguished Service Order} a British military decoration for special service in action
{n: Kipp's apparatus} a laboratory apparatus for producing a gas (usually hydrogen sulfide) by the action of a liquid on a solid without heating
{n: Lautaro Youth Movement, Lautaro Faction of the United Popular Action Movement, Lautaro Popular Rebel Forces} a violent terrorist group organized in the 1980s and advocating the overthrow of the Chilean military government; leaders are mainly criminals or impoverished youths
{n: Marxism} the economic and political theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that hold that human actions and institutions are economically determined and that class struggle is needed to create historical change and that capitalism will ultimately be superseded by communism
{n: Medal of Honor, Congressional Medal of Honor} the highest U.S. military decoration awarded for bravery and valor in action `above and beyond the call of duty'
{n: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, MMPI} a self-report personality inventory consisting of 550 items that describe feelings or actions which the person is asked to agree with or disagree with; many scales estimating traits and qualities of personality have been developed using MMPI items
{n: Order of the Purple Heart, Purple Heart} a United States military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded in action
{n: Sherrington, Sir Charles Scott Sherrington} English physiologist who conducted research on reflex action (1857-1952)
{n: Silver Star Medal, Silver Star} a United States military decoration for gallantry in action
{n: Xerox, xerographic copier, Xerox machine} a duplicator (trade mark Xerox) that copies graphic matter by the action of light on an electrically charged photoconductive insulating surface in which the latent image is developed with a resinous powder
{n: ablative, ablative case} the case indicating the agent in passive sentences or the instrument or manner or place of the action described by the verb
{n: abomination} an action that is vicious or vile; an action that arouses disgust or abhorrence
"his treatment of the children is an abomination"
{n: abortion pill, mifepristone, RU 486} an abortion-inducing drug (trade name RU_486) developed in France; when taken during the first five weeks of pregnancy it blocks the action of progesterone so that the uterus sloughs off the embryo
{n: accomplishment, achievement} the action of accomplishing something
{n: accounting} a convincing explanation that reveals basic causes
"he was unable to give a clear accounting for his actions"
{n: act, human action, human activity} something that people do or cause to happen
{n: acting out} (psychiatry) the display of previously inhibited emotions (often in actions rather than words); considered to be healthy and therapeutic
{n: action officer} the case officer designated to perform an act during a clandestine operation (especially in a hostile area)
{n: action potential} the local voltage change across the cell wall as a nerve impulse is transmitted
{n: action spectrum} the efficiency with which electromagnetic radiation produces a photochemical reaction plotted as a function of the wavelength of the radiation
{n: action, action mechanism} the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism
"the piano had a very stiff action"
{n: action, activity, activeness} the state of being active
"his sphere of activity"
"he is out of action"
<-> inaction, inactiveness, inactivity
{n: action} an act by a government body or supranational organization
"recent federal action undermined the segregationist position"
"the United Nations must have the power to propose and organize action without being hobbled by irrelevant issues"
"the Union action of emancipating Southern slaves"
{n: action} something done (usually as opposed to something said)
"there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"
{n: action} the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field
"the action is no longer in technology stocks but in municipal bonds"
"gawkers always try to get as close to the action as possible"
{n: action} the series of events that form a plot
"his novels always have a lot of action"
{n: action} the trait of being active and energetic and forceful
"a man of action"
{n: active voice, active} the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb
"`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice"
<-> passive voice
{n: activism} a policy of taking direct and militant action to achieve a political or social goal
{n: actuator} a mechanism that puts something into automatic action
{n: adornment} the action of decorating yourself with something colorful and interesting
{n: advantage, reward} benefit resulting from some event or action
"it turned out to my advantage"
"reaping the rewards of generosity"
<-> penalty
{n: advice} a proposal for an appropriate course of action
{n: affirmative action} a policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities
"affirmative action has been extremely controversial and was challenged in 1978 in the Bakke decision"
{n: agency} the state of being in action or exerting power
"the agency of providence"
"she has free agency"
{n: aggravation, exacerbation} action that makes a problem or a disease (or its symptoms) worse
"the aggravation of her condition resulted from lack of care"
{n: aggression, hostility} violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked
{n: agreement, accord} harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters
"the two parties were in agreement"
<-> disagreement
{n: aim} the action of directing something at an object
"he took aim and fired"
{n: alert, qui vive} condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
"bombers were put on alert during the crisis"
{n: alienation} the action of alienating; the action of causing to become unfriendly
"his behavior alienated the other students"
{n: ambages} (archaic) roundabout or mysterious ways of action
{n: amora} one of a group of rabbis (active AD 250-500) who discussed the Mishnaic law in the law schools of Palestine and Mesopotamia where they explained and applied earlier teachings and whose discussions are recorded in the Talmud; they emphasized the study of Torah and the importance of personal action and the fulfillment of the commandments
{n: amphibious demonstration} an amphibious operation conducted for the purpose of deceiving the enemy and leading him into a course of action unfavorable to him
{n: amphibious landing} a military action of coordinated land and sea and air forces organized for an invasion
"MacArthur staged a massive amphibious landing behind enemy lines"
{n: analyst} an expert who studies financial data (on credit or securities or sales or financial patterns etc.) and recommends appropriate business actions
{n: anastalsis} muscular action of the alimentary tract in a direction opposite to peristalsis
<-> peristalsis
{n: angiocardiogram} a series of X rays representing the action of the heart and its blood vessels after the injection of a radiopaque substance
{n: antagonism} (biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure
{n: antagonistic muscle} (physiology) a muscle that opposes the action of another
"the biceps and triceps are antagonistic muscles"
{n: anti-TNF compound} a class of drugs that block the action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF); used in cases of rheumatoid arthritis because TNF instigates inflammation of the joints
{n: anticholinergic, anticholinergic drug} a substance that opposes or blocks the action of acetylcholine
{n: antitrust case} a legal action brought against parties who are charged with limiting free competition in the market place
{n: anti} a person who is opposed (to an action or policy or practice etc.)
"the antis smelled victory after a long battle"
{n: aorist} a verb tense in some languages (classical Greek and Sanskrit) expressing action (especially past action) without indicating its completion or continuation
{n: appearance, appearing, coming into court} formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
{n: approach, attack, plan of attack} ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
"his approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons"
"an attack on inflation"
"his plan of attack was misguided"
{n: arena, scene of action} a playing field where sports events take place
{n: armchair liberal} a person of liberal ideals who takes no action to realize them
{n: aspect} the beginning or duration or completion or repetition of the action of a verb
{n: attestation} the action of bearing witness
{n: authorizer, authoriser} an authority who authorizes (people or actions)
"the agents report back to their authorizers"
{n: autonomic nervous system, ANS} the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands
{n: backgrounder} a press conference or interview in which a government official explains to reporters the background of an action or policy
"the secretary gave us a backgrounder on public health issues"
{n: bacteria bed} layer of sand or gravel used to expose sewage effluent to air and the action of microorganisms
{n: bank run} the concerted action of depositors who try to withdraw their money from a bank because the think it will fail
{n: beatification} the action of rendering supremely blessed and extremely happy
{n: behavior, behaviour} the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
"the behavior of small particles can be studied in experiments"
{n: blind alley} (figurative) a course of action that is unproductive and offers no hope of improvement
"all the clues led the police into blind alleys"
"so far every road that we've been down has turned out to be a blind alley"
{n: bloodbath, bloodletting, bloodshed, battue} indiscriminate slaughter
"a bloodbath took place when the leaders of the plot surrendered"
"ten days after the bloodletting Hitler gave the action its name"
"the valley is no stranger to bloodshed and murder"
"a huge prison battue was ordered"
{n: bridle, check, curb} the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
"his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper"
{n: broadening} the action of making broader
"the broadening of travel"
{n: builder, detergent builder} a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action
{n: bureaucracy} any organization in which action is obstructed by insistence on unnecessary procedures and red tape
{n: calcium lactate} a white crystalline salt made by the action of lactic acid on calcium carbonate; used in foods (as a baking powder) and given medically as a source of calcium
{n: campaign, cause, crusade, drive, movement, effort} a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
"he supported populist campaigns"
"they worked in the cause of world peace"
"the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant"
"the movement to end slavery"
"contributed to the war effort"
{n: capillarity, capillary action} a phenomenon associated with surface tension and resulting in the elevation or depression of liquids in capillaries
{n: capillary, capillary tube, capillary tubing} a tube of small internal diameter; holds liquid by capillary action
{n: catalysis, contact action} acceleration of a chemical reaction induced the presence of material that is chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction
"of the top 50 commodity chemicals, 30 are created directly by catalysis and another 6 are made from raw materials that are catalytically produced"
{n: cause of action} a claim sufficient to demand judicial attention; the facts that give rise to right of action
{n: centrism, moderatism} a political philosophy of avoiding the extremes of left and right by taking a moderate position or course of action
{n: change of shape} an action that changes the shape of something
{n: change} the action of changing something
"the change of government had no impact on the economy"
"his change on abortion cost him the election"
{n: character, fiber, fibre} the inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions
"education has for its object the formation of character"- Herbert Spencer
{n: chemical process, chemical change, chemical action} (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved
{n: chorus, Greek chorus} a company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play
{n: civil action} legal action to protect a private civil right or to compel a civil remedy (as distinguished from criminal prosecution)
{n: class action, class-action suit} a lawsuit brought by a representative member of a large group of people on behalf of all members of the group
{n: clear and present danger} a standard for judging when freedom of speech can be abridged
"no one has a right to shout `fire' in a crowded theater when there is no fire because such an action would pose a clear and present danger to public safety"
{n: closeness, secretiveness} characterized by a lack of openness (especially about one's actions or purposes)
<-> openness
{n: coagulation factor, clotting factor} any of the factors in the blood whose actions are essential for blood coagulation
{n: codefendant, co-defendant} a defendant who has been joined together with one or more other defendants in a single action
{n: cold feet} timidity that prevents the continuation of a course of action
"I was going to tell him but I got cold feet"
{n: collision course} a course of action (following a given idea) that will lead to conflict if it continues unabated
{n: combat pilot} airplane pilot who fights in an action between two military forces
{n: commitment, allegiance, loyalty, dedication} the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
"his long commitment to public service"
"they felt no loyalty to a losing team"
{n: completion, culmination, closing, windup, mop up} a concluding action
{n: compulsion, obsession} an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions against your will
{n: conscience, scruples, moral sense, sense of right and wrong} motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
{n: consolidation, integration} the act of combining into an integral whole
"a consolidation of two corporations"
"after their consolidation the two bills were passed unanimously"
"the defendants asked for a consolidation of the actions against them"
{n: constriction} the action or process of compressing
{n: construction, twist} an interpretation of a text or action
"they put an unsympathetic construction on his conduct"
{n: control} (physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc
"the timing and control of his movements were unimpaired"
"he had lost control of his sphincters"
{n: contusion} the action of bruising
"the bruise resulted from a contusion"
{n: convolution} the action of coiling or twisting or winding together
{n: cooperation} joint operation or action
"their cooperation with us was essential for the success of our mission"
<-> competition
{n: copper sulfate, copper sulphate, cupric sulfate, cupric sulphate} a copper salt made by the action of sulfuric acid on copper oxide
{n: corrosion, corroding, erosion} erosion by chemical action
{n: corrosion} a state of deterioration in metals caused by oxidation or chemical action
{n: counterclaim} a claim filed in opposition to another claim in a legal action
{n: countercurrent, crosscurrent} actions counter to the main group activity
"political crosscurrents disrupted the conference"
{n: countermeasure} an action taken to offset another action
{n: course, course of action} a mode of action
"if you persist in that course you will surely fail"
"once a nation is embarked on a course of action it becomes extremely difficult for any retraction to take place"
{n: course, line} a connected series of events or actions or developments
"the government took a firm course"
"historians can only point out those lines for which evidence is available"
{n: covenant, compact, concordat} a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
{n: crackdown} severely repressive actions
{n: crenelation, crenellation} the action of constructing ramparts with gaps for firing guns or arrows
{n: croton oil} viscid acrid brownish-yellow oil from the seeds of Croton tiglium having a violent cathartic action
{n: cue} an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
{n: custody case} a legal action to determine custody (usually of children following a divorce)
{n: cut-in, insert} (film) a still picture that is introduced and that interrupts the action of a film
{n: decision table} a table or matrix of all contingencies and the actions to be taken for each
{n: decolonization, decolonisation} the action of changing from colonial to independent status
{n: decomposition, rot, rotting, putrefaction} (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
{n: defamation, calumny, calumniation, obloquy, traducement, hatchet job} a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
{n: defendant, suspect} a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
<-> plaintiff
{n: defense, defence, defensive measure} military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
"they died in the defense of Stalingrad"
"they were developed for the defense program"
{n: defensibility} capability of being defended
"they built their castles with an eye to their defensibility"
"client complaints create a felt need for the defensibility of individual actions"
{n: delay, hold, time lag, postponement, wait} time during which some action is awaited
"instant replay caused too long a delay"
"he ordered a hold in the action"
{n: delayed action} a mechanism that automatically delays the release of a camera shutter for a fixed period of time so that the photographer can appear in the picture
{n: deliberation, deliberateness} the trait of thoughtfulness in action or decision
"he was a man of judicial deliberation"
{n: democratization, democratisation} the action of making something democratic
{n: desperate measure} desperate actions taken as a means to an end
"he had to resort to desperate measures"
{n: destabilization, destabilisation} the action of destabilizing; making something less stable (especially of a government or country or economy)
<-> stabilisation, stabilization
{n: deterrence} the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety
{n: diazepam, Valium} a tranquilizer (trade name Valium) used to relieve anxiety and relax muscles; acts by enhancing the inhibitory actions of the neurotransmitter GABA; can also be used as an anticonvulsant drug in cases of nerve agent poisoning
{n: digestion} the process of decomposing organic matter (as in sewage) by bacteria or by chemical action or heat
{n: dilatory plea} a plea that delays the action without settling the cause of action; it can challenge the jurisdiction or claim disability of the defendant etc. (such defenses are usually raised in the defendant's answer)
{n: direct action} a protest action by labor or minority groups to obtain their demands
{n: direct object, object of the verb} the object that receives the direct action of the verb
{n: director, theater director, theatre director} someone who supervises the actors and directs the action in the production of a show
{n: disagreement, dissension, dissonance} a conflict of people's opinions or actions or characters
<-> agreement
{n: disengagement, fallback, pullout} to break off a military action with an enemy
{n: disrepute, discredit} the state of being held in low esteem
"your actions will bring discredit to your name"
"because of the scandal the school has fallen into disrepute"
<-> repute
{n: dissuasion} persuading not to do or believe something; talking someone out of a belief or an intended course of action
<-> persuasion
{n: diuresis} increased secretion of urine; if not due to increased liquid intake or to the action of a diuretic drug it can be a symptom of diabetes mellitus
{n: divorce lawyer} a lawyer specializing in actions for divorce or annulment
{n: drumhead court-martial} a military court convened to hear urgent charges of offences committed in action
{n: duty, responsibility, obligation} the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
"we must instill a sense of duty in our children"
"every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"- John D.Rockefeller Jr
{n: electrochemistry} branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical action of electricity and the production of electricity by chemical reactions
{n: electrodeposition} the deposition of a substance on an electrode by the action of electricity (especially by electrolysis)
{n: electronic warfare, EW} military action involving the use of electromagnetic energy to determine or exploit or reduce or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum
{n: elements} violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
"they felt the full fury of the elements"
{n: emergency, exigency, pinch} a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
"he never knew what to do in an emergency"
{n: eosin, bromeosin} a red fluorescent dye resulting from the action of bromine on fluorescein; used in cosmetics and as a biological stain for studying cell structures
{n: epinephrine, epinephrin, adrenaline, Adrenalin} a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress (trade name Adrenalin); stimulates autonomic nerve action
{n: erosion} condition in which the earth's surface is worn away by the action of water and wind
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