Dictionary definitions
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active
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body;
nimble; as, an active child or animal.
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Active and nervous was his gait. --Wordsworth.
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3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; --
opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as,
active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
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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.
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5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to
sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or
service; active scenes.
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6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical;
operative; -- opposed to speculative or theoretical;
as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
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7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
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8. Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease;
an active remedy.
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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.
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Active capital, Active wealth, money, or property that
may readily be converted into money.
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Syn: Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick;
sprightly; prompt; energetic.
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