acton

¹ American  

[ak-tuhn] / ˈæk tən /

Or ackton,

noun

Armor.

1. a quilted garment worn under mail in the 13th and 14th centuries; gambeson.

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Acton ² American  

[ak-tuhn] / ˈæk tən /

noun

1. Lord John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron, 1834–1902, English historian.

2. a former municipal borough in SE England, now part of the London borough of Ealing: center of Puritanism at the time of Cromwell.

3. a city in NE Massachusetts.

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Acton ¹ British  

/ ˈæktən /

noun

1. John Emerich Edward Dalberg, 1st Baron. 1834–1902, English historian: a proponent of Christian liberal ethics and adviser of Gladstone

2. his grandfather, Sir John Francis Edward. 1736–1811, European naval commander and statesman: admiral of Tuscany (1774–79) and Naples (1779 onwards) and chief minister of Naples (1779–1806)

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acton ² British  

/ ˈæktən /

noun

1. a jacket or jerkin, originally of quilted cotton, worn under a coat of mail

2. a leather jacket padded with mail

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Acton ³ British  

/ ˈæktən /

noun

1. a district of the London borough of Ealing

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Etymology

Origin of acton

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French aketoun, Old French a ( u ) queton < Old Spanish algodon < Spanish Arabic < Arabic al-quṭun the cotton

Example Sentences

They came shyly down the lane, like well-meaning acton who were trying to do their best, but who were not good at acting.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

His sword to his side the warrior tied,    And then himself in his acton casing, A fond adieu to the Damsel cried,    Who sadly stood behind him gazing.

From Proud Signild and Other Ballads by Borrow, George Henry

His head was bare, his hair dishevelled, his rich acton and all his other vestments looked as if they had been lately drenched in water.

From The Fair Maid of Perth Or, St. Valentine's Day by Scott, Walter, Sir

There rode the little Grimmer,    In golden acton dight; And there rode Seyer the active,    Who yields to none in might.

From The Expedition to Birting's Land and other ballads by Borrow, George Henry

In my acton blue I thee will case, And my golden helm on thy head I’ll place.

From Child Maidelvold and other ballads by Borrow, George Henry