perform

Meaning

1. To do (something); to execute.
2. To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work.
3. To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work.
4. To act in a way set forth in a contract.
5. To act in a way set forth in a contract.
6. To do (something) in front of an audience, such as acting or music, often in order to entertain.
7. To behave theatrically so as to give the impression of (a quality, character trait, etc.); to feign.
8. Of a social actor, to behave in certain ways.
9. Of a social actor, to behave in certain ways.

Hyphenated as

per‧form

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pəˈfɔːm/

Etymology

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 *frummjan (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Proto-Germanic *frumjaną, *framjaną (“to further, promote”), 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. Modernly, rather than Proto-Germanic *frumjaną, associated with Latin formō, analyzable as per- + form.