An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. Existing in act or fact; real.
   

2. Philosophy: The character of what is realized in act (such as a statue), as opposed to what can potentially be realized (from a piece of rock).

Etymology (EN): M.E. actuel, from O.Fr. actuel “now existing, up to date,” from L. actualis “active, pertaining to action,” adj. form of actus, → act.

Etymology (PE): Žirvand, from žir, → act, + -vand a suffix forming adjectives denoting “possessed of, similarity, relation,” variants -âvand, -van (e.g. xodâvand “possessor, master,” pulâdvand “hard as steel, name of a hero,” dowlatvand “rich,” setarvan “mule-like, barren,” polvan “bridge-like, a raised path”), from Mid.Pers. -âwand (hunarâwand “skilled,” warzâwand “powerful”); Av. -vant (aurvant- “swift,” surunvant- “audible”); cf. Skt. -vant (amavant- “having attacking power”).