Etymology From Middle English actyf, from Old French actif, from Latin āctīv(us), from agere (“to do, to act”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti. By surface analysis, act + -ive.
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
certain active principles
the active powers of the mind
2
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.
an active child or animal
3
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force
active laws
active hostilities
4
Specifically, Of certain geological features Emitting hot materials, such as lava, smoke, or steam, or producing tremors.
Such as volcano; geysers; etc; such as volcano; geysers; etc
5
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy
an active man of business
active mind
2 more examples
active zeal
This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking.[…]He was smooth-faced, and his fresh skin and well-developed figure bespoke the man in good physical condition through active exercise, yet well content with the world's apportionment.1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
6
Requiring or implying action or exertion
active employment or service
active scenes
7
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative
an active rather than a speculative statesman
8
Brisk; lively.
an active demand for corn
9
Implying or producing rapid action.
an active disease
an active remedy
› About verbs.
10
Grammar, Heading, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
11
Grammar, Heading, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
12
Grammar, Heading, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
13
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, SciencesOf source code Eligible to be processed by a compiler or interpreter.
I think it should be upgraded to Visual BASIC, but I'm no good at that. So maybe someone here would like to take a crack at it. There are only 40 lines of active code, plus a few REMs. About 100 BASIC commands altogether.2006 December 24, David Williams, “satellite program”, in comp.lang.basic.visual.misc (Usenet):
Edge uses green text for comments. This makes it easier for you to quickly differentiate between active code and comments.2012, Chris Grover, “Triggering Actions”, in Adobe Edge Preview 5: The Missing Manual, 3rd edition, Sebastopol: O'Reilly Media, →ISBN, page 98:
Etymology From Middle English actyf, from Old French actif, from Latin āctīv(us), from agere (“to do, to act”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti. By surface analysis, act + -ive.
1
A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.
"Alumni could become more active in giving guidance and leadership to students. They act as sort of a 'maturity governor' on fraternities," notes Ratliff, citing surveys suggesting that fraternity actives presume mistakenly that alumni want hazing […]1989, The Alcalde, volume 78, number 2, page 11:
Components are split into two broad segments: actives and passives. Active components like the vacuum tube and the transistor contain the power to generate and alter electrical signals.2013, David Manners, Hitchhikers' Guide to Electronics in the '90s, page 36: