| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| active |
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| SYLLABICATION: | ac·tive |
| PRONUNCIATION: |   k t v |
| ADJECTIVE: | 1. Being in physical motion: active fish in the aquarium. 2. Functioning or capable of functioning. 3a. Marked by energetic activity; busy: active stock and bond markets; spent an active day sightseeing. b. Involving or requiring physical exertion and energy: an active workout at the gym. 4a. Being in a state of action; not quiescent: active hostilities along the border. b. Erupting or liable to erupt; not dormant: an active volcano. 5a. Marked by or involving direct participation: took an active interest in politics; played an active role on the committee. b. Currently in use or effect: an active membership. c. Openly acknowledged or expressed: an active dislike of the new neighbors. 6. Producing an intended action or effect: active ingredients. 7. Grammar a. Indicating that the subject of the sentence is performing or causing the action expressed by the verb. Used of a verb form or voice. b. Expressing action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak, and move. 8. Producing profit, interest, or dividends: active accounts; active stocks. 9. Electronics a. Being a source of electrical energy, as a generator. b. Capable of converting or amplifying voltages or currents, as a diode or transistor. 10. Being on full military duty and receiving full pay. | | NOUN: | 1. Grammar a. The active voice. b. A construction or form in the active voice. 2. A participating member of an organization: union actives. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English actif, from Old French, from Latin  ct vus, from ctus, past participle of agere, to drive, do. See ag- in Appendix I. | | OTHER FORMS: | active·ly —ADVERB
active·ness —NOUN
| | SYNONYMS: | active, energetic, dynamic, vigorous, lively These adjectives mean engaged in activity. Active means moving, doing, or functioning: an active toddler; an active imagination; saw active service in the army. Energetic suggests sustained enthusiastic activity: an energetic competitor. Dynamic connotes energy and forcefulness that often inspires others: a dynamic leader. Vigorous implies healthy strength and robustness: a vigorous crusader against drunk driving. Lively suggests animated alertness: a lively interest in politics.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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