Library / English Dictionary

ENACT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Act out; represent or perform as if in a play

Example:

She reenacted what had happened earlier that day

Synonyms:

act out; enact; reenact

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "enact" is one way to...):

act; play; represent (play a role or part)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

enactment (acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Order by virtue of superior authority; decree

Example:

the legislature enacted this law in 1985

Synonyms:

enact; ordain

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "enact" is one way to...):

decree (issue a decree)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "enact"):

reenact (enact again)

legislate; pass (make laws, bills, etc. or bring into effect by legislation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

enactment (the passing of a law by a legislative body)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Whereas, by a statute made in the reign of his imperial majesty Calin Deffar Plune, it is enacted, that, whoever shall make water within the precincts of the royal palace, shall be liable to the pains and penalties of high-treason; notwithstanding, the said Quinbus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law, under colour of extinguishing the fire kindled in the apartment of his majesty’s most dear imperial consort, did maliciously, traitorously, and devilishly, by discharge of his urine, put out the said fire kindled in the said apartment, lying and being within the precincts of the said royal palace, against the statute in that case provided, etc. against the duty, etc.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)