I. (from ACT sb.)
† 1. trans. To enter among the acta or public records (see ACT sb. 6); also, to enter in a record or chronicle. Obs.
1467. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 379. The actes of the yelde … shullen be enacted and engrossed on a quayer of parchemyn.
1475. Bk. Noblesse (1860), 24. It is … enacted in divers cronicles … that … William the duke or Guien died bethout heire masle.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 647. When these agreements were done and enacted, the king dissolued his parliament.
1640–1. Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 69. We have enacted this letter and will requyer and expect ane exact accompt thairof.
2. Of a legislative authority: To make into an act (see ACT sb. 5); hence, to ordain, decree. Also with obj.-clause introduced by that. (In early examples scarcely separable from 1.)
1464. Edw. IV., in Paston Lett., 493, II. 165. He shall … haue the said fundacon inacted and auctorised in the parlement next holden.
1566. Painter, Pal. Pleas., I. 21. The tribunes were verie instant that at length lawes might be enacted.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 348. It is enacted in the Lawes of Venice.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Size, iii. Wouldst thou His laws of fasting disanull? Enact good cheer?
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xlix. 494. It was now declared and inacted, that the said Act and Statute … should stand.
1710. Prideaux, Orig. Tithes, i. 22. The Law of the Sabbath was enacted from the beginning.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., I. I. xi. 190. In 1463 it was enacted that no wheat should be imported if [etc.].
1844. H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, III. 557. To … amend the laws … enacted by the Local Legislature.
absol. 1580. Lady Pembroke, Ps. xcix. (1823). God did daigne to talk with men; He enacting, they observing, From his will there was no swerving.
1642. Bridge, Wounded Consc. Cured, § 5. 38. There is an excellent temper of the three Estates in Parliament, there being … no power of enacting in one or two of them, without the third.
b. Said of the legislative measure. (See ENACTING ppl. a.; cf. ordain, provide, etc.)
1765–74. Blackstone, Comm., II. 82. Magna carta … enacts that [etc.].
Mod. The statute enacted no new provisions.
† c. nonce-use. To secure (rights) to a person by enactment.
1628. Bp. J. Hall, in Rem. Wks. (1660), II. 21. God’s book is the true Magna Charta that enacts both king and people their own.
† 3. To declare officially or with authority; to appoint. To enact into: to constitute. Obs.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xix. (1632), 944. Enacting them enemies to their naturall Country.
c. 1677. Act Securing Prot. Relig., in Marvell, Growth Popery, 31. The person so consecrated, shall be, and is hereby Enacted to be complete Bishop of the said vacant See.
1715. Bentley, Serm., x. 362. By slow degrees Transubstantiation was enacted into an Article of Faith.
II. (from ACT v.)
† 4. To work in or upon; to actuate, influence. Also, to implant, inspire (a feeling, etc.) into a person. Obs. Cf. ACT v. 1.
1616. W. Forde, Serm., 43. Nature itselfe … seemeth to have … inacted this desire into every one.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845), 304. The wind of the Spirit doth not always enact the soul to believe.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, I. II. xlv. To enact his corps and impart might Unto his languide tongue. Ibid., II. iii. II. i. Her phantasie Strongly inacted guides her easie pen.
5. To represent (a dramatic work, a ‘scene’) on or as on the stage; to personate (a character) dramatically, play (a part); also fig. with reference to real life; = ACT v. 4–7.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, Prol. For they enacted and gilt with theyr sayes Theyr high renowne.
1602. Shaks., Ham., III. ii. 108. I did enact Iulius Cæsar.
1828. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), I. 199. Through life he enacted a tragedy, and one of the deepest.
1825. De Quincey, Cæsars, Wks. 1859, X. 155. Marcus Antoninus is a scholar; he enacts the philosopher.
1860. Motley, Netherl. (1868), I. i. 9. Its main scenes were long enacted there.
b. To perform (a ceremony).
1846. Keble, Lyra Innoc. (1873), 114. She sees him … Dimly enact some awful rite.
† 6. To bring into act, accomplish, perform. Obs.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., V. iv. 2. The king enacts more wonders then a man.
1616. R. C[rowley], Times’ Whis., III. 1155. If ther be handes that dare enact a murder.
† 7. intr. To act. Cf. ACT v. 9. Obs.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T. (1613), 68. I may be the better able to enact with my hands.
1684. Charnock, Attrib. God (1834), II. 559. They punctually enact according to their commission.
