Ăct'ĭve, a.
[Lat. activus, Fr. actif.]
Sense 1. Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; —opposed to passive, that receives action; as, the active powers of the mind.
Sense 2. Constantly engaged in action; nimble; lively; agile; hence, energetic; diligent; busy; as, an active officer. Shak.
Sense 3. Requiring or implying action or exertion; practical; operative; producing real effects; —opposed to speculative; as, an active life; the active duties of life. “Active hostilities.” Motley.
Sense 4. (Gram.) Expressing the transition or passing of an action from an agent to an object, as certain verbs do; transitive.
Active capital, or wealth, money, or property that may readily be converted into money, and used in commerce or other employment for profit. — Active commerce, the commerce which a nation carries on in its own ships.
It may be the interest of foreign nations to deprive us, as far as possible, of an active commerce in our own bottoms. Hamilton.
Synonyms— Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick; sprightly; prompt; industrious; operative; laborious.