\Ac"tive\, a. [F. actif, L. activus, fr. agere to act.]
1. Having the power or quality of acting; causing change;
   communicating action or motion; acting; -- opposed to
   {passive}, that receives; as, certain active principles;
   the powers of the mind.
2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body;
   nimble; as, an active child or animal.
         Active and nervous was his gait.      --Wordsworth.
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; --
   opposed to {quiescent}, {dormant}, or {extinct}; as,
   active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
4. Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic;
   diligent; busy; -- opposed to {dull}, {sluggish},
   {indolent}, or {inert}; as, an active man of business;
   active mind; active zeal.
5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to
   {sedentary} or to {tranquil}; as, active employment or
   service; active scenes.
6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical;
   operative; -- opposed to {speculative} or {theoretical};
   as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
8. Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease;
   an active remedy.
9. (Gram.)
   (a) Applied to a form of the verb; -- opposed to
       {passive}. See {Active voice}, under {Voice}.
   (b) Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts
       upon or affects something else; transitive.
   (c) Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct
       from mere existence or state.
{Active capital}, {Active wealth}, money, or property that
   may readily be converted into money.
Syn: Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick;
     sprightly; prompt; energetic.