The state, office, or profession of being an actor; the practice or art of acting.
From actor + -ship (denoting condition, rank, or art). The -ship suffix has been used since Old English to create nouns indicating status or skill (kingship, craftsmanship).
The suffix -ship originally meant 'the state of being' and is why we have it in words like 'friendship,' 'leadership,' and 'authorship'—it's one of English's oldest ways to turn a role into a concept.
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