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Any one of a number of related integral quantities which serve as the basis for general formulations of the dynamics of both classical and quantum-mechanical systems. The term has been associated with four quantities: the fundamental action S, for general paths of a dynamical system; the classical action S_C, for the actual path; the modified action S′, for paths restricted to a particular energy; and action variables, for periodic motions.

A dynamical system can be described in terms of some number N of coordinate degrees of freedom that specify its configuration. As the vector q whose components are the degrees of freedom q₁, q₂, …, q_N varies with time t, it traces a path q(t) in an N-dimensional space. The fundamental action S is the integral of the lagrangian of the system taken along any path q(t), actual or virtual, starting from a specified configuration q₁ at a specified time t₁, and ending similarly at configuration q₂ and time t₂. The value of this action S[q(t)] depends on the particular path q(t). The actual path q_C(t) which is traversed when the system moves according to newtonian classical mechanics gives an extremum value of S, usually a minimum, relative to the other paths. This is Hamilton's least-action principle. The extremum value depends only on the end points and is called the classical action S_C(q₁, q₂; t₁, t₂).

An important variant of Hamilton's principle applies when the virtual paths q(t) are restricted to motions all of the same energy E, but no longer to a specific time interval, t₁ − t₂. The modified action S′ = S − E(t₁ − t₂) obeys a modified least-action principle, usually called Maupertuis' principle, namely, that the classical path gives again an extremal value of S′ relative to all paths of that energy. Maupertuis' principle is closely related to Fermat's principle of least time in classical optics for the path of light rays of a definite frequency through a region of inhomogeneous refractive index. See also Hamilton's principle; Minimal principles.

In quantum mechanics, as originally formulated by E. Schrödinger, the state of particles is described by wave functions which obey the Schrödinger wave equation. States of definite energy in, say, atoms are described by stationary wave functions, which do not move in space. Nonstationary wave functions describe transitory processes such as the scattering of particles, in which the state changes. Both stationary and nonstationary state wave functions are determined, in principle, once the Schrödinger wave propagator (also called the Green function) between any two points q₁ and q₂ is known. In a fundamental restatement of quantum mechanics, R. Feynman showed that all paths from q₁ to q₂, including the virtual paths, contribute to the wave propagator. Each path contributes a complex phase-term exp i (φ[q(t)]), where the phase φ is proportional to the action for that path. The resulting sum over paths, appropriately defined, is the path integral (or functional integral) representation of the Schrödinger wave propagator. The path integral has become the general starting point for most formulations of quantum theories of particles and fields. The classical path q_C(t) of least action now plays the role in the wave function as being the path of stationary phase. See also Propagator (field theory).

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Advertising: impelling function of advertising. Almost all advertising is based on some action that the advertiser wants individuals to take. The desired action may be to move people directly to the purchase of a product (direct action), or it can be more subtle-for example, to move individuals toward a new thinking pattern in which the product or service is seen in a favorable light. An example of action-oriented advertising is the political advertisement, where the immediate desired objective is to generate positive feelings about the candidate and where the longer range desired action is to move the public to vote for the candidate. Two other examples are the price-off coupon offer in a print advertisement, where the desired action is the clipping of a coupon by the consumer and his or her subsequent purchase of the product, and the retail store sale advertisement designed to motivate the consumer to come to the store and shop.

Film or television production:

1.any motion by performers on the viewing screen that is intended to be transmitted or recorded.

2.order to begin movement in filming, as in "Lights, camera, action."

noun

1. The process of doing: act. See action/inaction.
2. Something done: act, deed, doing, thing, work. See do/not do.
3. The manner in which one behaves. behavior, comportment, conduct, deportment, way. See be.
4. A legal proceeding to demand justice or enforce a right: case, cause, instance, lawsuit, suit. See law.
5. A hostile encounter between opposing military forces: battle, combat, engagement. See conflict/cooperation.

In addition to the idioms beginning with action, also see all talk and no action; piece of the action; swing into action.

n

Definition: something done
Antonyms: cessation, idleness, inaction, inactivity, inertia, repose, rest, stoppage

n. 1. armed conflict.

2. a military engagement: a rearguard action.

3. a manner or style of doing something, typically the way in which a mechanism works or a person moves.

go into action start battle.

in action engaged in battle.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

What an agent does, as opposed to what happens to an agent (or even what happens inside an agent's head). Describing events that happen does not of itself permit us to talk of rationality and intention, which are the categories we may apply if we conceive of them as actions. We think of ourselves not only passively, as creatures within which things happen, but actively, as creatures that make things happen. Understanding this distinction gives rise to major problems concerning the nature of agency, of the causation of bodily events by mental events, and of understanding the will and free will. Other problems in the theory of action include drawing the distinction between an action and its consequences, and describing the structures involved when we do one thing ‘by’ doing another thing. Even the placing and dating of action can give rise to puzzles, as in cases where someone shoots someone on one day and in one place, and the victim then dies on another day and in another place. Where and when did the murder take place?

1. Any unit or sequence of social activity or behaviour. The term is sometimes restricted to social activities, which are intentional and involve conscious deliberation, rather than merely being the result of a behavioural reflex.

2. In biomechanics, the product of work and time. Compare power.

3. See muscle action.

Action was a federal agency established by President Richard Nixon on 1 July 1971. Its intention was to make the service organizations established during the 1960s operate more efficiently. The programs absorbed were the Active Corps of Executives, the Peace Corps, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, the National Student Volunteer Program, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). In the 1980s, the Reagan administration urged private groups to take some of the load borne by VISTA, and VISTA itself was cut in personnel, thereby diminishing the power and influence of ACTION. In 1990, the National and Community Service Act further weakened ACTION's administrative role, and in 1993, the National and Community Service Trust Act absorbed ACTION into the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Bibliography

"The National and Community Service Act of 1990." Available from http://www.cns.gov/about/ogc/legislation.html.

United States Congress, Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, Special Subcommittee on Human Resources. Action Act of 1972 and Action Domestic Programs. Joint hearing before the Special Subcommittee on Human Resources and the Subcommittee on Aging of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, United States Senate, 92nd Congress, Second session on S. 3450…and related bills, Older Americans Action Programs. Washinton, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1972.

—Kirk H. Beetz

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

Conduct; behavior; something done; a series of acts.

A case or lawsuit; a legal and formal demand for enforcement of one's rights against another party asserted in a court of justice.

The term action includes all the proceedings attendant upon a legal demand, its adjudication, and its denial or its enforcement by a court. Specifically, it is the legal proceedings, while a cause of action is the underlying right that gives rise to them. In casual conversation, action and cause of action may be used interchangeably, but they are more properly distinguished. At one time, it was more correct to speak of actions at law and of proceedings or suits in equity. The distinction is rather technical, however, and not significant since the merger of law and equity. The term action is used more often for civil lawsuits than for criminal proceedings.

Parties in an Action

A person must have some sort of legal right before starting an action. That legal right implies a duty owed to one person by another, whether it is a duty to do something or a duty not to do something. When the other person acts wrongfully or fails to act as the law requires, such behavior is a breach, or violation, of that person's legal duty. If that breach causes harm, it is the basis for a cause of action. The injured person may seek redress by starting an action in court.

The person who starts the action is the plaintiff, and the person sued is the defendant. They are the parties in the action. Frequently, there are multiple parties on a side. The defendant may assert a defense which, if true, will defeat the plaintiff's claim. A counterclaim may be made by the defendant against the plaintiff or a cross-claim against another party on the same side of the lawsuit. The law may permit joinder of two or more claims, such as an action for property damage and an action for personal injuries, after one auto accident; or it may require consolidation of actions by an order of the court. Where prejudice or injustice is likely to result, the court may order a severance of actions into different lawsuits for different parties.

Commencement of an Action

The time when an action may begin depends on the kind of action involved. A plaintiff cannot start a lawsuit until the cause of action has accrued. For example, a man who wants to use a parcel of land for a store where only houses are allowed must begin by applying for a variance from the local zoning board. He cannot bypass the board and start an action in court. His right to sue does not accrue until the board turns down his request.

Neither can a person begin an action after the time allowed by law. Most causes of action are covered by a statute of limitations, which specifically limits the time within which to begin the action. If the law in a particular state says that an action for libel cannot be brought more than one year after publication of a defamatory statement, then those actions must be initiated within that statutory period. Where there is no statute that limits the time to commence a particular action, a court may nevertheless dismiss the case if the claim is stale and if litigation at that point would not be fair.

A plaintiff must first select the right court, then an action can be commenced by delivery of the formal legal papers to the appropriate person. Statutes that regulate proper procedure for this must be strictly observed. A typical statute specifies that an action may be begun by delivery of a summons, or a writ on the defendant. At one time, common-law actions had to be pleaded according to highly technical forms of action, but now it is generally sufficient simply to serve papers that state facts describing a recognized cause of action. If this service of process is done properly, the defendant has fair notice of the claim made against him or her and the court acquires jurisdiction over him or her. In some cases, the law requires delivery of the summons or writ to a specified public officer such as a U.S. marshal, who becomes responsible for serving it on the defendant.

Termination of an Action

After an action is commenced, it is said to be pending until termination. While the action is pending, neither party has the right to start another action in a different court over the same dispute or to do any act that would make the court's decision futile.

A lawsuit may be terminated because of dismissal before both sides have fully argued the merits of their cases at trial. It can also be ended because of compromise and settlement, after which the plaintiff withdraws his or her action from the court.

Actions are terminated by the entry of final judgments by the courts. A judgment may be based on a jury verdict or it may be a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. Where there has been no jury, judgment is based on the judge's decision. Unless one party is given leave — or permission from the court — to do something that might revive the lawsuit, such as amending an insufficient complaint, the action is at an end when judgment is formally entered on the records of the court.

See: civil procedure.

1. n. excitement; activity in general; whatever is happening.  This place is dull. I want some action!
2. n. a share of something; a share of the winnings or of the booty.  I did my share of the winnings, and I want my share of the action.
3. n. sex; copulation.  All those guys are just trying for a little action.
4. n. illegal activity; commerce in drugs; acts of crime. (Underworld.)  Things have been a little slow here, but there's some action on the East Coast.

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Quotes:

"In this country men seem to live for action as long as they can and sink into apathy when they retire." - Charles Francis Adams

"You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him." - Leo Aikman

"The shortest distance between two points is under construction." - Noelie Alito

"The greatest potential for control tends to exist at the point where action takes place." - Loius A. Allen

"Action is coarsened thought; thought becomes concrete, obscure, and unconscious." - Henri Frederic Amiel

"Action and faith enslave thought, both of them in order not be troubled or inconvenienced by reflection, criticism, and doubt." - Henri Frederic Amiel

See more famous quotes about Action

noun
noun

1: Activity of a desirable, exciting, or noteworthy sort, esp. gambling. (1933 —) .
D. Runyon He is well established as a high player in New Orleans, and Chicago, and Los Angeles, and wherever there is any action in the way of card-playing, or crap-shooting (1933).

2: where the action is the centre of significant, fashionable, or exciting activity. (1964 —) .
C. Sagan We [i.e. mankind] are in the galactic boondocks, where the action isn't (1973).

3: a piece (share, etc.) of the action involvement in a (potentially) profitable activity. (1966 —) .

Previous:	act, across, acre
Next:	actual, adjectival, adjective

1. the accomplishment of an effect, whether mechanical or chemical, or the effect so produced.
2. the gait or type of movement of an animal.

• cumulative a. — the sudden and markedly increased action of a drug after administration of several doses.
• a. lists — are produced by a computerized herd health program from the analysis of reproduction data, which set out which cows are to be examined for a variety of reproductive reasons, such as pregnancy, failure to conceive and postnatal clearance for resumption of breeding.

For a list of words related to action, see:

• Firearm Parts, Accessories, and Processes - action: mechanism by which firearm is operated
• Laws, Procedures, and Court Proceedings - action: lawsuit or court proceeding
• Types and Techniques of Warfare - action: military encounter or battle
• Stagecraft, Production, and Dramatic Structure - action: what a character does in order to reach his or her objective
• Cinematography Tools and Techniques - action: director’s command to actors to begin playing scene
• Hunting Equipment - action: mechanism by which firearm is operated
• Sex Acts - action: Slang. sexual activity

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See words rhyming with "action."

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - aktion, handling, iværksættelse
v. tr. - handle, iværksætte

idioms:

• action group    aktionsudvalg, aktionskommite
• action point    handlingsplan, afgørelse
• action replay    genafspilning, langsom gengivelse
• action stations    kampberedskab, kampklar position
• bring into action    tage i brug
• go into action    gå i aktion, skride til handling
• out of action    ude af drift
• put into action    gøre funktionsdygtig, gøre kampklar
• take action    skride til handling, gå i aktion, handle

Nederlands (Dutch)
actie, handeling/daad, werking, gevechtshandeling, manier van bewegen/ functioneren, rechtszaak, een rechtszaak aanspannen tegen

Français (French)
n. - action, effet, usage, service, combat, acte, (Théât) intrigue, (Cin) moteur, (Jur) procès, action en justice, (Tech) mécanisme, marche, (Mil) combat, engagement
v. tr. - (Admin) exécuter

idioms:

• action group    groupe d'action
• action point    séquence, point actif
• action replay    (GB, TV, Sport) répétition immédiate d'une séquence, ralenti
• action stations    (Mil) postes de combats
• bring into action    engager, atteler, porter à l'action
• go into action    aller ou marcher au combat
• in action    (tué) au combat
• out of action    hors d'usage
• put into action    mettre à exécution, mettre en action ou en pratique, mettre en marche
• take action    agir, prendre des mesures

Deutsch (German)
n. - Handlung, Tat, Arbeit, Funktion, Wirkung , Einfluss, Gefecht, Kampf, Kampfhandlung, (Tech.) Mechanik, (Tech.) Auslöser, (Rechtsw.) Klage, (Rechtsw.) Prozess
v. - etw. unternehmen, einen Prozess gegen jmdn. anstrengen, jmdn.verklagen

idioms:

• action group    Aktionsgemeinschaft, Bürgerinitiative, Interessengemeinschaft
• action point    Handlungsvorschlag
• action replay    (Zeitlupen)wiederholung
• action stations    Gefechtsstationen
• bring into action    einsetzen, aufbieten
• go into action    in Aktion treten, eingreifen
• in action    in Betrieb, im Kampf
• out of action    außer Gefecht
• put into action    einsetzen, aufbieten
• take action    handeln, tätig werden, verfahren, vorgehen

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - δράση, ενέργεια, πράξη, επενέργεια, επίδραση, μάχη, πολεμική δραστηριότητα, (νομ.) αγωγή, μήνυση, λειτουργία, έντονη δραστηριότητα, κινητοποίηση, (μτφ.) ψυχαγωγία, διασκέδαση, (καθομ.) τζόγος

idioms:

• action group    ομάδα δράσης
• action point    απόφαση προς εκτέλεση
• action replay    επανάληψη φάσης
• action stations    (στρατ.) θέσεις μάχης
• bring into action    ενεργοποιώ, θέτω σε ενέργεια
• go into action    αναλαμβάνω δράση
• out of action    εκτός λειτουργίας, (μτφ.) εκτός μάχης
• put into action    θέτω σε ενέργεια ή εφαρμογή
• take action    ενεργώ, δρω, αναλαμβάνω δράση, δραστηριοποιούμαι

Italiano (Italian)
azione, scontro, operazione, attività, manovra, scenario

idioms:

• a slice of the action    partecipazione
• action group    comitato d'azione
• action point    progetto d'azione
• action replay    ripresa
• action stations    posti di combattimento
• bring into action    mettere in azione, mettere in moto
• freedom of action    libertà d'azione
• go into action    entrare in azione, passare all'azione
• legal action    causa
• lightning action    azione fulminea
• line of action    direttiva
• out of action    inattivo, fuori allenamento
• put into action    mettere in moto, mettere in azione
• radius of action    raggio d'azione
• sphere of action    sfera d'azione
• take action    procedere

Português (Portuguese)
n. - ação (f), atividade (f), ato (m), acionamento (m), mecanismo (m), batalha (f), iniciativa (f)

idioms:

• a piece of the action    divisão (f) de trabalho, divisão (f) de lucros, oportunidade (f) de ganhos financeiros
• a slice of the action    fatia (f) dos ganhos (Fin.)
• action group    grupo (m) de atividade
• action point    ponto (m) de ação
• action replay    repetição (f) de ação
• action stations    estações (f pl) de ação
• affirmative action    ação afirmativa (Jur.)
• bring into action    colocar em ação
• freedom of action    liberdade (f) de ação
• go into action    entrar em ação
• legal action    ação legal (Jur.)
• lightning action    ação relâmpago
• line of action    linha (f) de ação
• out of action    inutilizado
• put into action    colocar em ação
• radius of action    raio (m) de ação
• sphere of action    esfera (f) de ação
• take action    agir, iniciar o trabalho, processar

Русский (Russian)
действие, меры (против кого-то, чего-то), бой, действие, работа, деятельность, маневр, сюжет

idioms:

• a piece of the action    доход с какого-либо мероприятия
• a slice of the action    доход с какого-либо мероприятия
• action group    группа, созданная для принятия мер
• action point    предложение действия после обсуждения
• action replay    проигрывание назад кадров спортивный матчей
• action replay    проигрывание вновь кадров фильма
• action stations    боевые посты
• affirmative action    утверждение, подтверждение; действие (в отличие от бездействия)
• bring into action    задействовать, привести в действие
• freedom of action    свобода действий
• go into action    вступать в бой
• legal action    судебные действия, судебное преследование
• lightning action    молниеносные действия
• line of action    линия поведения
• out of action    не способный более работать, действовать
• put into action    задействовать что-либо
• radius of action    радиус действия
• sphere of action    сфера влияния
• take action    принимать меры

Español (Spanish)
n. - acción, actuación, lucha, batalla, combate, acto, actividad, animación, movimiento, maniobra, trama, argumento, intriga
v. tr. - accionar, actuar, luchar, batallar, combatir, animar, mover, maniobrar

idioms:

• action group    comité de acción
• action point    punto de acción
• action replay    repetición de la jugada
• action stations    puestos de combate
• bring into action    poner en movimiento
• go into action    entrar en acción
• in action    en acción , funcionando, operando
• out of action    inutilizar, estropear
• put into action    poner en práctica
• take action    tomar medidas, intentar una acción judicial

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - handling, inverkan, funktion

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
动作, 战斗, 作用, 对...起诉

idioms:

• action group    行动小组
• action point    行动时刻
• action replay    实时回放, 可实时回放的镜头, 立刻重演
• action stations    战斗位置, 各就各位
• bring into action    使开始行动
• go into action    投入战斗
• out of action    出故障, 不活动, 不运转
• put into action    进入行动, 把...付诸实施
• take action    采取行动, 提出诉讼

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 動作, 戰鬥, 作用
v. tr. - 對...起訴

idioms:

• action group    行動小組
• action point    行動時刻
• action replay    即時重播, 可即時重播的鏡頭, 立刻重演
• action stations    戰鬥位置, 各就各位
• bring into action    使開始行動
• go into action    投入戰鬥
• out of action    出故障, 不活動, 不運轉
• put into action    進入行動, 把...付諸實施
• take action    採取行動, 提出訴訟

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 행동, 작용, 행위, 연기, 조처, 전투, 줄거리, 판결, 소송
v. tr. - ~을 상대로 소송을 제기하다

idioms:

• bring into action    전투에 참가 시키다
• go into action    행동하다
• put into action    실천에 옮기다
• take action    활발해지다, 조처를 취하다, 고소하다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 行動, 行為, 作用, 機能, 働き, 動作, 訴訟, 戦闘

idioms:

• action group    市民の会, 行動委員会
• action point    行動提案
• action replay    ビデオの即時再生
• action stations    戦闘配置
• evasive action    回避行動
• go into action    活動を始める
• out of action    活動しないで
• put into action    実行に移す
• take action    訴訟を起こす, 行動を取る

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) دعوى قضائيه, تأثير, أداء, عمل, تصرف, سلوك, نشاط, معركه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮פעולה, מעשה, פעילות, דרך פעולה, מנגנון, תביעה משפטית, הליך משפטי, קרב, מלחמה, סידרת אירועים המוצגים בסיפור, מחזה וכו', תנועה, פקודה להתחלת הסרטת תמונה בסרט, אקשן‬
v. tr. - ‮נקט בפעולה משפטית נגד‬

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Some good "action" pages on the web: