Perform definition
A car that performs well on curves; workers not performing up to standard.
My theater group performed a three-act play.
An example of perform is for a doctor to do surgery.
An example of perform is for a person to fulfill a promise.
An example of perform is for an actor to play a role in a musical.
Tires that perform well on wet pavement.
Stocks that performed well.
The juggler performed atop a unicycle.
A play that performs well.
Stocks performed poorly in the third quarter.
She will perform in the play. The magician performed badly - none of his tricks worked. The string quartet performed three pieces by Haydn.
The surgeon performed the operation.
Perform one's contractual obligations.
Origin of perform
- Middle English performen from Anglo-Norman performer from Old French parfornir par- intensive pref. (from Latin per- per-) fournir to furnish furnish
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English performen, parfournen (“to perform"), from Anglo-Norman performer, parfourmer, alteration of Old French parfornir, parfurnir (“to complete, accomplish, perform"), from par- + fornir, furnir (“to accomplish, furnish"), from Frankish *frumjan (“to accomplish, furnish"), from Proto-Germanic *frumjanÄ…, *framjanÄ… (“to further, promote, accomplish, furnish, carry out"), from Proto-Indo-European *promo- (“in front, forth"), *per- (“forward, out"). Cognate with Old High German frummen (“to do, execute, accomplish, provide"), Old Saxon frummian (“to perform, promote"), Old English fremman (“to perform, execute, carry out, accomplish"), Gothic 𐍆𐍂𐌿𐌼𐌾𐌰𐌽 (frumjan, “to promote, accomplish"). See also frame, from.
From Wiktionary