actor
nounUK /ˈæk.təː/ · US /ˈæk.tɚ/
Etymology Inherited from Middle English actour, from Anglo-Norman actor, Middle French actor, and their source, Latin āctor (“doer”), from agō (“to do”). Equivalent to act + -or. Cognate with Ancient Greek ἄκτωρ (áktōr, “leader”), from ἄγω (ágō, “lead, carry, convey, bring”).
7 senses
- 1Someone who institutes a legal suit; a plaintiff or complainant.
- 2Someone acting on behalf of someone else; a guardian.
- 3Someone or something that takes part in some action; a…
- 4A person who acts a part in a theatrical play or (later)…
- 5An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes.
- 6The subject performing the action of a verb.
- 7The entity that performs a role (in use case analysis).
Obsolete Someone acting on behalf of someone else; a guardian.
Someone or something that takes part in some action; a doer, an agent.
- A man may be principal in an offence in two degrees. A principal, in the first degree, is he that is the actor, or absolute perpetrator of the crime; and, in the second degree, he who is present, aiding, and abetting the fact to be done.1769, William Blackstone, Commentaries on the laws of England^(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AWilliam_Blackstone%2C_Commentaries_on_the_Laws_of_England_(1st_ed%2C_1769%2C_vol_IV).pdf&page=48):
- Never, my dear Bethel, did the most feverish dreams of fiction produce scenes more painful, or more terrific, than the real events to which I have been an actor, since the date of my last letter.1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 373:
1 more example
- Mr. Clay had been too prominent an actor in public affairs to allow whig deception and misrepresentation a fair opportunity for successful action.1852 February 8, “Reminiscences”, in The Daily Union (Washington), page 2:
A person who acts a part in a theatrical play or (later) in film or television; a dramatic performer.
- Seems like everyone's an actor / Or they're an actor's best friend / I wonder what was wrong to begin with / That they should all have to pretend1991, Ani DiFranco, “Anticipate”, in Not So Soft:
- Exactly. Marijuana is something we just all gradually decided is okay, like Mark Wahlberg as a serious actor. “You know what? Sure, I’ve decided I’m fine with that.”2017 April 2, “Marijuana”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 4, episode 7, John Oliver (actor), via HBO:
1 more example
- "I'm an actress -- actor, as we have to say these days."2010, Peter Corris, Torn Apart, Allen and Unwin, page 88:
Ancient Rome, Obsolete An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes.
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences The subject performing the action of a verb.
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences, Software The entity that performs a role (in use case analysis).
- Synonyms
- performer, player, doer, participant, complainant, plaintiff, role
- Antonyms
- undergoer
- Derived terms
37 terms
actoress, actorfic, actorial, actorine, actorish, actorism, actorlike, actorly, actornaut, actorness, actor-proof, actorship, actorvist, actory, actroid, back actor, bad actor, character actor, child actor, coactor, crisis actor, interactor, live actor, method actor, nonactor, non-state actor, non state actor, nonstate actor, overactor, play-actor, self-actor, spect-actor, straight actor, supporting actor, threat actor, underactor, voice actor