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actual (adj.)

early 14c., "pertaining to acts or an action;" late 14c. in the broader sense of "real, existing" (as opposed to potential, ideal, etc.); from Old French actuel "now existing, up to date" (13c.), from Late Latin actualis "active, pertaining to action," adjectival form of Latin actus "a doing" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").

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Definitions of actual from WordNet

actual (adj.)
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible;
the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different
actual and imagined conditions
Synonyms: existent
actual (adj.)
taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated;
filmed the actual beating
we saw the actual wedding on television
actual (adj.)
being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something; "a literal solitude like a desert"- G.K.Chesterton;
her actual motive
Synonyms: genuine / literal / real
actual (adj.)
existing in act or fact;
rocks and trees...the actual world
actual heroism
the actual things that produced the emotion you experienced
Synonyms: factual
actual (adj.)
being or existing at the present moment;
the ship's actual position is 22 miles due south of Key West
From wordnet.princeton.edu