Enact

Enact is a verb with two primary senses. In law and governance, it means to pass a bill into law through the legislative process, or to establish a statute or formal rule by enactment. In the arts, it means to perform or dramatize, as in enacting a scene or a role.

Etymology: The word derives from Old French enacter, from en- "make" + acter "to do," with ultimate roots in Latin actus "done."

Legal usage: In legislatures, to enact is to pass a bill into law; the resulting law is called an act or statute. Enactment describes the formal process and its outcomes, including publication and enforcement.

Dramatic usage and examples: In performance, to enact a character is to portray or dramatize it on stage. Examples: a parliament may enact a new environmental law; an actor enacts a fictional character.

Notes: Enactment, enacted, and enact are related terms; "pass" is a related but distinct term for approving legislation.