c. 1400, "active or secular life," from Old French activité, from Medieval Latin activitatem (nominative activitas), a word in Scholastic philosophy, from Latin activus "active" (see active). The meaning "state of being active, briskness, liveliness" is recorded from 1520s; that of "capacity for acting on matter" is from 1540s. As "an educational exercise," by 1923.

"educational exercises, schoolwork," 1923, American English, from activity.

1852, from hyper- "over, exceedingly, to excess" + activity.

"want of action or exertion, sluggishness," 1640s, from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + activity. Phrase masterly inactivity attested by 1791.

Creole French, "party," from zouker "engage in unrestrained social activity."

"pushing activity; activity in the interest of success," 1891, American English, from hustle (v.) in its later colloquial senses; earlier the noun meant "a shaking together" (1715). Sense of "a swindle, illegal business activity" is by 1963, American English. As the name of a popular dance, by 1975.

"energy, activity," 1808, Scottish slang; from through + put. Industrial sense is from 1915.

"to convert into a (mere) commercial product or activity," 1971, back-formation from commodification. Related: Commodified; commodifying.

"quality of being active, activity," c. 1600, from active + -ness.

"activity, stir, fuss, commotion," 1630s (Milton), from bustle (v.).