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**action point**
**ac-ro-nym** /'ækrənɪm/ _n_ a word made up from the first letters of the name of something, such as NATO from North Atlantic Treaty Organization
**ac-ro-pho-bi-a**, /ˌækrə'fəʊbiə/ _n_ [U] a fear of high places
**A-crop-o-lis**, the /ə'krɒpəlɪs||ə'krɑː-/ the ancient CITADEL (= a place people can go to if their city is attacked) of Athens, built on a hill in the centre of the city. There are many important ancient Greek buildings on the Acropolis, such as the PARTHENON, and it is visited by many tourists.
**a-cross** /ə'krɒs||ə'krɔːs/ _adv, prep_ **1** from one side to the other (of): _The stream is two metres across._ | _They built a bridge across the river._ | _He lay across the bed._ **2** to or on the opposite side (of): _Can you jump across?_ | _They live just across the road (from us)._ | _Their house is just across from (= opposite) ours._ | _I helped the old lady across the road_ (= helped her to cross it) **3** so as to cross: _The two lines cut across each other._
> USAGE The prepositions **across** and **over** are both used to show movement from one side to another: _She drove **across/over** the bridge._ Use **over** if there is an idea of crossing something high: _She climbed **over** the fence._ If there is an idea of crossing a level surface **across** is usually better: _He walked **across** the stage and bowed to the audience._
**a,cross-the-'board** _adj_ [A] influencing or having effects on people or things of all types or at every level, especially within a business or industry: _an across-the-board pay rise_ | _a 25% across-the-board cut in military spending_ —**across-the-board** _adv_: _Share prices this week have fallen by an average of 3% across-the-board._
**a-cros-tic** /ə'krɒstɪk || ə'krɔː-/ _n_ a set of words or lines (often of a poem), written one below the other, in which particular sets of letters (such as the first letter of each line) form a word or phrase
**a-cryl-ic** /ə'krɪlɪk/ _n_ [C;U] a chemical substance used in paints and for making a threadlike material (**acrylic fibre**) used for clothes. Clothes made of acrylic are usually cheaper than clothes made of wool or cotton.
**act¹** /ækt/ _v_ **1** [I(_as, on, for_)] to do something; take action: _The council must act quickly, before more people are killed on that road._ | _She **acted on** our suggestion._ (= did what we suggested) | _a lawyer acting for (= in the interests of) Mr Miller_ | _A trained dog can act as (= fulfil the purpose of) a guide to a blind person._ $\rightarrow$ see also ACTING¹ **2** [I(_on, upon_)] to produce an effect; work: _Does the drug take long to **act (on** the nerve centres)?_ **3** a) [I+_adv/prep_] to behave as stated: _He acted as if he'd never seen me before._ | _The report said that the doctor had acted correctly/very responsibly._ b) [L+_adj_] _infml_ to behave so as to seem: _Don't act so stupid!_ **4** [I;T] to represent (a part in a play or film); perform, especially on the stage: _Olivier is acting (the part of Othello) tonight._ | _I can't take her seriously because she always seems to be acting._ (= behaving as if she is in a play) | (_fig._) _He's always acting the experienced man who has seen everything._ $\rightarrow$ see also ACTING², ACTOR, ACTRESS, PLAY-ACT **5** **act your age** to behave in an adult way rather than a childish way
**act sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ out** _phr v_ [T] to express (thoughts, unconscious fears etc) in actions and behaviour, rather than in words: _a chance to act out one's fantasies_
**act up** also **play up** _BrE_ — _phr v_ [I] _infml_ to behave or perform badly: _My old car is always acting up._
**act²** _n_ **1** _fml_ something that someone has done; an action of a particular kind: _an act of great generosity/courage_ | _This despicable act will not go unpunished._ | _a right-wing group responsible for several acts of terrorism_ $\rightarrow$ see USAGE 2 (**often cap.**) a law made by a parliament or similar body: _The drug was banned by an act of parliament._ | _a right granted under the Shops and Factories Act, 1978_ | _lobbying to amend the Gun Control Act_ $\rightarrow$ see also ACT OF PARLIAMENT **3** (**often cap.**) one of the main divisions of a stage play: _Hamlet kills the king in Act 5, Scene 2._ | _at the end of the first act_ **4** one of a number of short events in a THEATRE or CIRCUS performance: _The next act will be a snake charmer._ **5** [C usually sing.] _infml_ an example of insincere behaviour used to influence people's feelings: _Don't be taken in by his flattery — it's just an act/he's just putting on an act._ **6** **get in on the act** _infml_ to begin to take part in an activity that someone else has started, especially in order to share in any advantages that may come as a result **7** **get one's act together** _infml_ to begin to work (together) in an effective way: _little chance of the divided opposition parties getting their act together_ **8** **in the act (of doing)** while actually doing; at the moment of doing (especially something bad): _I caught him in the act of reading my private letters._ **9** **be a hard/tough act to follow** also **be an impossible act to follow** used in order to say that the way someone has done something is so successful or impressive that it will be difficult for the next person, team etc who does it to be as good: _The department owes a lot to Amanda for her years of leadership — she's a hard act to follow._ | _Shulman's magnificent first novel may be a nearly impossible act to follow._
A
> USAGE Compare **act** and **action**. **1 Act** meaning something that you do is always countable, but **action** can be countable or uncountable: _a kind **act/action**._ | _We need prompt **action.**_ **2** Use **act** and not **action** in some fixed phrases when it means a particular type of action: _an act of cruelty/mercy/kindness_ | _He was caught in the act of stealing._
**act-ing¹** /'æktɪŋ/ _adj_ [A] appointed to carry out the duties of an office or position for a short time: _Our director is in hospital, but the **acting director** can see you._
**acting²** _n_ [U] the art or profession of representing a character, especially in a play or for a film or on television
**ac-tion¹** /'ækʃən/ _n_ **1** [U] the fact or process of doing things, with the intention of gaining a desired result: _The police had to take firm action to deal with the riots._ | _to formulate a plan of action_ | _to urge strike action_ | _We're tired of talking about the problem — now is the time for action_ | _an action-packed drama_ (= full of exciting action) **2** [C] something done; a DEED: _His prompt action probably saved her life._ | _His suicide attempt was the action of (= an action typical of) a desperate man._ $\rightarrow$ _see_ **ACT²** (USAGE) **3** [U] effect: _Photographs are produced by the **action of** light on film._ **4** [the] the main events in a play or book: _The action takes place in a mountain village._ **5** [C;U] fighting or a fight between armies or navies: _The action lasted five hours._ | _Many men were killed in action._ **6** [C] a charge or a matter for consideration by a court of law: _If he doesn't pay us soon we'll have to bring an action against him._ | _a libel action_ **7** [S] the way in which something moves or works: _The horse had a fine jumping action._ | _Today we'll study the action of the heart._ **8** [C usually sing.] the moving parts of a machine or instrument: _The action of this piano is becoming stiff._ **9** **action!** (said by film DIRECTORS when they are just about to begin filming a scene) **10** **actions speak louder than words** saying it is easier to see what someone is like or what they feel about something by what they do, rather than by what they say **11** **in/into action** in/into operation or a typical activity: _He is a very good tennis player; you ought to see him in action._ **12** **out of action** unable to move, operate etc: _The storm put the telephones out of action._ $\rightarrow$ see also INDUSTRIAL ACTION **13** **piece of the action** _AmE infml_ a share of the profits or benefits of an action; in films, often said by criminals planning a crime: _Do you want a **piece of the action?**_ **14** **where the action is** _AmE infml_ where the decisions are made, or where exciting things are happening: _I want to be where the action is!_
**action²** _v_ [T] _fml_ to do a specific thing that needs to be done, especially after discussing it: _How are we actually going to action these objectives?_
**ac-tion-a-ble** /'ækʃənəbəl/ _adj_ giving enough cause for a charge in a court of law: _I regard these allegations as actionable._
**'action ,figure** _n_ a doll with legs and arms that move. The advertisers say ‘action figure’ instead of ‘doll’ because the figures are usually played with by boys, in games about war or adventure.
**'Action Man 1** trademark a DOLL (= a child's toy that looks like a small person) dressed as a male soldier and played with usually by boys in the UK $\rightarrow$ see also GI JOE **2** _BrE_ a man who likes doing sports and activities that are exciting and dangerous
**'action point** n something that must be done, that has been decided in a meeting