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perform

[per-fawrm]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to carry out; execute; do: to perform miracles.
  2. to go through or execute in the proper, customary, or established manner: to perform the marriage ceremony.
  3. to carry into effect; fulfill: Perform what you promise.
  4. to act (a play, part, etc.), as on the stage, in movies, or on television.
  5. to render (music), as by playing or singing.
  6. to accomplish (any action involving skill or ability), as before an audience: to perform a juggling act.
  7. to complete.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to fulfill a command, promise, or undertaking.
  2. to execute or do something.
  3. to act in a play: to perform in the role of Romeo.
  4. to perform music.
  5. to go through any performance.
  6. (of loans, investments, etc.) to yield a profit; earn income.
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Origin of perform

1250–1300; Middle English parformen < Anglo-French parformer, alteration (by association with forme form) of Middle French, Old French parfournir to accomplish. See per-, furnish
Related formsper·form·a·ble, adjectiveper·form·er, nounmis·per·form, verbo·ver·per·form, verbre·per·form, verb (used with object)self-per·formed, adjectiveun·per·form·a·ble, adjectiveun·per·formed, adjectiveun·per·form·ing, adjectivewell-per·formed, adjective

Synonym study

1. Perform, discharge, execute, transact mean to carry to completion a prescribed course of action. Perform is the general word, often applied to ordinary activity as a more formal expression than do, but usually implying regular, methodical, or prolonged application or work: to perform an exacting task. Discharge implies carrying out an obligation, often a formal or legal one: to discharge one's duties as a citizen. Execute means either to carry out an order or to carry through a plan or program: to execute a maneuver. Transact, meaning to conduct or manage, has commercial connotations: to transact business.

Synonyms

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3. accomplish, achieve, effect.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for perform

perform

verb
  1. to carry out or do (an action)
  2. (tr) to fulfil or comply withto perform someone's request
  3. to present or enact (a play, concert, etc) before or otherwise entertain an audiencethe group performed Hamlet
  4. (intr) informal to accomplish sexual intercoursehe performed well
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Derived Formsperformable, adjectiveperformer, noun

Word Origin

C14: from Anglo-Norman perfourmer (influenced by forme form), from Old French parfournir, from par- per- + fournir to provide; see furnish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for perform

v.

c.1300, "carry into effect, fulfill, discharge," via Anglo-French performer, altered (by influence of Old French forme "form") from Old French parfornir "to do, carry out, finish, accomplish," from par- "completely" (see per-) + fornir "to provide" (see furnish).

Theatrical/musical sense is from c.1600. The verb was used with wider senses in Middle English than now, including "to make, construct; produce, bring about;" also "come true" (of dreams), and to performen muche time was "to live long." Related: Performed; performing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper