ACT, a word varying in significance according to the sense in which it is employed. It is often synonymous with "statute" (see ACT OF PARLIAMENT). It may also refer to the result of the vote or deliberation of any legislature, the decision of a court of justice or magistrate, in which sense records, decrees, sentences, reports, certificates, etc., are called acts. In law act means any instrument in writing, which declares or proves the truth of a bargain or transaction, as : "I deliver this as my act and deed." The origin of the legal use of the word "act" is in the acta of the Roman magis trates or people, of their courts of law, or of the senate, meaning (I) what was done before the magistrates, the people or the senate ; (2) the records of such public proceedings. In the sense of "document" it is used in those systems of law which are derived from the Roman.