enact

[en-akt]

verb (used with object)

to make into an act or statute: Congress has enacted a new tax law.
to represent on or as on the stage; act the part of: to enact Hamlet.

Origin of enact

First recorded in 1375–1425, enact is from the late Middle English word enacten. See en-¹, act

Related formsen·act·a·ble, adjectiveen·ac·tor, nounpre·en·act, verb (used with object)re·en·act, verb (used with object)un·en·act·ed, adjectivewell-en·act·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for enacts

execute, achieve, appoint, decree, accomplish, formulate, ratify, institute, determine, pass, establish, portray, represent, play, depict, do, perform, discourse, personate, playact

Examples from the Web for enacts

Contemporary Examples of enacts

Here Monty enacts a fantasy of benign American imperialism, touring Europe and Africa in his pleasure yacht.
American Dreams: Brewster’s Millions and Triumphant America
Nathaniel Rich
January 16, 2012

Historical Examples of enacts

Article 15 enacts that no slavery or apprenticeship shall be tolerated.
The Last Boer War
H. Rider Haggard
Habit incorporates, enacts or overrides objects, but it doesn't know them.
Human Nature and Conduct
John Dewey
It enacts two knights for the county, and two burgesses for the city.
Novanglus, and Massachusettensis
John Adams
He enacts the vision and says, “There was a fellow traveller.”
The Puzzle of Dickens's Last Plot
Andrew Lang
He enacts the eternal farce of equality for all, justice for none.
Unicorns
James Huneker

British Dictionary definitions for enacts

enact

verb (tr)

to make into an act or statute
to establish by law; ordain or decree
to represent or perform in or as if in a play; to act out

Derived Formsenactable, adjectiveenactive or enactory, adjectiveenactment or enaction, nounenactor, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for enacts

enact

early 15c., from en- (1) "make, put in" + act. Related: Enacted; enacting.