- Active
- Active Ac"tive, a. [F. actif, L. activus, fr. agere to act.]
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal. [1913 Webster]
Active and nervous was his gait. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; -- opposed to {quiescent}, {dormant}, or {extinct}; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to {sedentary} or to {tranquil}; as, active employment or service; active scenes. [1913 Webster]
6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; -- opposed to {speculative} or {theoretical}; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman. [1913 Webster]
7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn. [1913 Webster]
8. Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy. [1913 Webster]
9. (Gram.) (a) Applied to a form of the verb; -- opposed to {passive}. See {Active voice}, under {Voice}. (b) Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive. (c) Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state. [1913 Webster]
{Active capital}, {Active wealth}, money, or property that may readily be converted into money. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick; sprightly; prompt; energetic. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
