Hypertext Webster Gateway: "active"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

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