active

Everyday

1. Active means moving around and doing things a lot: an active puppy. tree →
2. Active means working or taking part in something: an active member of the club. tree →
3. An active volcano is one that can still erupt. tree →
4. In grammar, an active sentence is one where the subject does the action (The dog chased the ball). tree →
5. Active service means serving as a soldier, sailor or airman, often in a war. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons, children should be active (running, playing, sport) for about an hour a day to keep the heart and muscles strong. In science: nocturnal animals are active at night; active volcanoes. In grammar lessons: active and passive voice. Phrases: stay active, active at night, active volcano, take an active part.

Examples

• Puppies are very active. tree →
• Stay active by playing outside every day. tree →
• Owls are active at night. tree →
• Mount Etna is an active volcano. tree →
• She is an active member of the chess club. tree →
• My grandad is still very active at 80. tree →
• «The cat ate the fish» is an active sentence. tree →
• Bats are active after sunset. tree →

Note

Comparative: more active, most active. Opposite: inactive, lazy (for people), passive (in grammar), dormant or extinct (for volcanoes). Noun: activity.

In Jewish tradition

In Sefer Yetzirah, the elements are said to divide into active and passive, or male and female, forces.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the three "mother" letters Aleph, Mem and Shin as the roots of air, water and fire, whose opposing forces are balanced by a third.

Examples

• The Three Mothers, Aleph, Mem and Shin, are a great Mystery, very admirable and most recondite, and sealed as with six rings; and from them proceed Air, Fire, and Water, which divide into active and passive forces. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

Comparative: more active, most active. Opposite: inactive, lazy (for people), passive (in grammar), dormant or extinct (for volcanoes). Noun: activity.