active

1. 1

   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. 2

   Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.

   • an active child or animal
3. 3

   In action; actually proceeding; working; in force

   • active laws
   • active hostilities
4. 4

   In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; Emitting hot materials, such as lava, smoke, or steam, or producing tremors.specifically

5. 5

   Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy

   • an active man of business
   • active mind
6. 6

   Requiring or implying action or exertion

   • active employment or service
   • active scenes
7. 7

   Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative

   • an active rather than a speculative statesman
8. 8

   Brisk; lively.

   • an active demand for corn
9. 9

   Implying or producing rapid action.

   • an active disease
   • an active remedy
10. 10

    About verbs.; Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.

syn. abuzz · active · agile · airy · alive · animate · animated · brisk · busy · busy as a bee · buxom · buzzing

ant. enervated · extinct · haggard · inactive · lither · nondriven · quiet · restful

1. 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
2. 2

   Any component that is not passive. See Passivity (engineering).

   • 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.