Definitions for: Active


[n] 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"
[n] chemical agent capable of activity
[adj] characterized by energetic activity; "an active toddler"; "active as a gazelle"; "an active man is a man of action"
[adj] engaged in full-time work; "active duty" (military); "though past retirement age he is still active in his profession"
[adj] full of activity or engaged in continuous activity; "an active seaport"; "an active bond market"; "an active account"
[adj] (pathology) tending to become more severe or wider in scope; "active tuberculosis"
[adj] 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"
[adj] producing activity or change
[adj] (of e.g. volcanos) being in a state of action or potential action; "active volcanos"
[adj] (grammar) expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')
[adj] (grammar) active voice
[adj] exerting influence or producing an effect; "an active ingredient"
[adj] (astronomy; of the sun) characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions
[adj] in a state of habitual or vigorous activity; "an active man is a man of action"
[adj] characterized by energetic bodily activity; "tennis is an active sport"; "a very physical dance performance"
[adj] in operation; "keep hope alive"; "the tradition was still alive"; "an active tradition"
[adj] taking part in an activity; "an active member of the club"; "he was politically active"; "the participating organizations"
[adj] being in physical motion; "active fish in the aquarium"; "a nurse is on the move all day"
[adj] (military) engaged in or ready for military or naval operations; "on active duty"; "the platoon is combat-ready"; "review the fighting forces"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body;
nimble; as, an active child or animal.

Active and nervous was his gait. --Wordsworth.

3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; --
opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as,
active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.

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.

5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to
sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or
service; active scenes.

6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical;
operative; -- opposed to speculative or theoretical;
as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.

7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.

8. Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease;
an active remedy.

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.

Active capital, Active wealth, money, or property that
may readily be converted into money.

Syn: Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick;
sprightly; prompt; energetic.

Synonyms: about(p), acrobatic, activated, active agent, active voice, activist, activistic, agile, alive(p), astir(p), athletic, brisk, bustling, busy, combat-ready, dancing, dynamic, dynamical, erupting(a), eruptive, existent, existing, fighting(a), going(a), gymnastic, hot, hyperactive, in full swing(p), involved, live(a), lively, moving, nimble, on duty(p), on the go(p), on the move(p), on(p), on-duty(a), open, operational, overactive, participating, physical, practicing, proactive, progressive, quick, spry, surface-active

Antonyms: counteractive, dormant, extinct, inactive, passive, passive, passive voice, quiet, stative

See Also: chemical agent, energetic, voice

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