active English · revision 3038

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1340, Ayenbite of Inwyt|origins=la agō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈæk.tɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|actif]], active,^(Etymonline) [[bor|fro|actif]] (feminine active),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) or directly [[bor|la|āctīvus]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from āctus “a doing”, the past participle of [[m|la|agō|t=I drive, cause to move, do]],^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) the source of [[act]].^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline takes it to [[ine-pro|*h₂eǵ-|alt=*ag-|t=to drive, draw out, move]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Given to worldly activity”, as opposed to contemplative or monastic: 1340, in the ''Ayenbite of Inwyt'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the mid-14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As “capable of acting, communicating action”, opposed to passive, it is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) about 1400 in the OED.^(OED 1989) In grammar, of a verb whose subject performs the action, it is from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) and the ''active voice'' is recorded from 1765.^(Etymonline) “Energetic, lively” is from the 1590s,^(Etymonline) and “working, effective, in operation”, opposed to inactive or extinct, from the 1640s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In physics it was used for radioactive from 1900.^(OED 1989) ''Activity'' is from probably before 1400,^(Barnhart 1988) and ''activate'' from 1626, in Bacon.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1340 – given to outward action.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1400 – ''activity''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – opposed to passive.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – in grammar.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1590s – energetic, lively.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1626 – ''activate''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1640s – working, in operation.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1765 – ''active voice''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1900 – radioactive.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Moving about or doing things; [[busy]] or [[energetic]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Taking part in something; involved: ''an active member''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Working or in operation; of a [[volcano]], liable to erupt.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(grammar)'' Of a verb or voice: having a subject that performs the action.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(military)'' In full-time service.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(chemistry, physics)'' Able to react or to have an effect; radioactive.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(grammar)'' The active voice; a verb form in it.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An active member of an organization.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[actively]]

+ * [[activeness]]

+ * [[activate]]

+ * [[activewear]]

+ * [[activism]]

+ * [[activist]]

+ * [[activity]]

+ * [[activize]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[act]]

+ * [[action]]

+ * [[agent]]

+ * [[agile]]

+ * [[inactive]]

+ * [[proactive]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Active'' simply means being in action as opposed to being passive;^(AHD) ''energetic'' suggests a great output of energy, ''vigorous'' strength and health, and ''lively'' high spirits.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}