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n. 1. A person who behaves in the manner of a character, usually by reciting scripted dialogue, in order to entertain an audience, especially in a play, movie, or television show. 2. One who takes part; a participant: "France, Britain ... and any other external actors now involved ... in the affairs of the continent" (Helen Kitchen). 3. Law a. One, such as the manager of a business, who acts for another. b. In civil law, the plaintiff in an action. [Middle English actour, doer, probably from Latin āctor, from āctus, past participle of agere, to drive, do; see ag- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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