Collier's New Encyclopedia

A complete general encyclopedia of 1921 — the world as it was understood just after the Great War, from Aachen to Zwingli, across twelve volumes and six thousand pages.

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Act

in dramatic language, a portion of a play performed continuously, after which the representation is suspended for a little. As early as the time of Horace there were five acts in a drama, but this number is frequently modified on the modern stage.

In parliamentary language, an act of congress, legislature, etc.

In law: (1) Anything officially done by the court, as the phrases "Acts of Court," "Acts of Sederunt," etc. (2) An instrument in writing for declaring or proving the truth of anything.

← AcrosticAct of Settlement →