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Any one of the active processes going on in an organism; the performance of a function; as, the action of the heart, the muscles, or the gastric juice.

A theatrical performer; a stageplayer. After a well graced actor leaves the stage. Shak.

Involving or comprising action; active. [Obs.] Her walking and other actual performances. Shak. Let your holy and pious intention be actual; that is . . . by a special prayer or action, . . . given to God. Jer. Taylor.

To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] "To actuate what you command." Jer. Taylor.

To perform the arithmetical operation of addition; as, he adds rapidly.

To perform the office of administrator; to act officially; as, A administers upon the estate of B.

Fitted to excite wonder; wonderful; marvelous. [Obs.] In man there is nothing admirable but his ignorance and weakness. Jer. Taylor.

The quality of being admirable; wonderful excellence.

A handsome butterfly (Pyrameis Atalanta) of Europe and America. The larva feeds on nettles. Admiral shell (Zoöl.), the popular name of an ornamental cone shell (Conus admiralis). Lord High Admiral, a great officer of state, who (when this rare dignity is conferred) is at the head of the naval administration of Great Br…

led with approbation or delight; an emotion excited by a person or thing possessed of wonderful or high excellence; as, admiration of a beautiful woman, of a landscape, of virtue.

Wonderful; also, admirable. [Obs.] "Admired disorder." " Admired Miranda." Shak.

Held to service as attached to the soil; -- said of feudal serfs.

A faint sketch; an outline; an imperfect portrayal or representation of a thing. Elegant adumbrations of sacred truth. Bp. Horsley.

reputation is, and how swift and advantageous a harbinger it is, wherever one goes. Chesterfield.

Counseling to perform a specific illegal act. Wharton. Advice boat, a vessel employed to carry dispatches or to reconnoiter; a dispatch boat. -- To take advice. (a) To accept advice. (b) To consult with another or others.

air, or atmosphere; inhabiting or frequenting the air; produced by or found in the air; performed in the air; as, aërial regions or currents. "Aërial spirits." Milton. "Aërial voyages." Darwin.

ess in receiving others and in conversation; complaisant behavior. Affability is of a wonderful efficacy or power in procuring love. Elyot

A powerful evil jinnee, demon, or monstrous giant.

A piece performed after a play, usually a farce or other small entertainment.

esinous wood (Aquilaria Agallocha) of highly aromatic smell, burnt by the orientals as a perfume. It is called also agalwood and aloes wood. The name is also given to some other species.