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Embody vs Enact - What's the difference?

embody | enact |

In transitive terms the difference between embody and enact

is that embody is to include or represent, especially as part of a cohesive whole while enact is to do; to effect.

As a noun enact is

purpose; determination.

embody

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To represent in a physical form; to incarnate or personify
  • As the car salesman approached, wearing a plaid suit and slicked-back hair, he seemed to embody sleaze.
  • * South
  • The soul, while it is embodied , can no more be divided from sin.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012, date=November 7, author=Matt Bai, title=Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds, work=New York Times citation
  • , passage=The generational shift Mr. Obama once embodied is, in fact, well under way, but it will not change Washington as quickly — or as harmoniously — as a lot of voters once hoped.}}
  • To include or represent, especially as part of a cohesive whole
  • The US Constitution aimed to embody the ideals of diverse groups of people, from Puritans to Deists.
    The principle was recognized by some of the early Greek philosophers who embodied it in their systems.

    Derived terms

    * disembody * embodiment

    enact

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (legal) to make (a bill) into law
  • to act the part of; to play
  • * Shakespeare
  • I did enact Julius Caesar.
  • to do; to effect
  • * Shakespeare
  • The king enacts more wonders than a man.

    Derived terms

    * enactability * enactable * enactably * enaction * enactor

    Noun

  • (obsolete) purpose; determination
  • (Webster 1913)