R pə(r)ˈfȯ(ə)rm, - R pəˈfȯ(ə)m verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English parformen, performen, from Anglo-French parformer, performer, alteration (influenced by Old French forme, fourme form) of Old French parfournir, perfournir, from par-, per- thoroughly (from Latin per- ) + fournir to complete, carry out, accomplish — more at form , per- , furnish
transitive verb
1.
a. : to adhere to the terms of : treat as an obligation : implement , fulfill
perform a contract
when she promised a thing she was … scrupulous in performing it — Jane Austen
b. obsolete : to effect as an agent : actuate , enact
hast thou, spirit, performed to point the tempest that I bade thee — Shakespeare
c. : to bring to a finished state : complete
passenger miles performed by Class I railways — Yrbk. of Railroad Information
a student who … fails to perform satisfactorily the work of his course — University of Toronto Cal.
2.
a. : to carry out or bring about : accomplish , execute
perform a function
perform calculations with astronomical speed — Stuart Chase
figurines which once performed amusing antics actuated by power from a waterwheel — American Guide Series: Connecticut
imaginative editing can perform miracles in creating interest — F.L.Mott
dissections were performed on monkeys — Benjamin Farrington
b. : to make available or do in line of duty : provide
the university performs more than 50 distinct services to the state — American Guide Series: Michigan
services performed by New Zealand forces in Korea — Americana Annual
3. archaic : to construct or give aesthetic form to : design
a ship … may be as well performed as such large buildings — William Sutherland
4.
a. : to do in a formal manner or according to prescribed ritual
perform a marriage ceremony
dramatic satisfaction … in a High Mass well performed — T.S.Eliot
b. : to give a rendition of : present , play
performed a hula … to entertain the passengers — Horace Sutton
guest conductors performed certain new scores on tolerance — Virgil Thomson
two of his plays had been performed by the dramatic club — Gilbert Millstein
intransitive verb
1. : to carry out an action or pattern of behavior : fulfill a threat or promise : act , function
not only promised but performed — V.L.Albjerg
about one third of one's time must be spent in sleep if one is to perform effectively — Webb Garrison
the car performed beautifully except on a short incline — M.M.Musselman
2. : to give a performance : put on a show : play
perform under a circus tent
experience as a composer helps him understand the problems of performing — Time
Synonyms:
execute , discharge , accomplish , achieve , effect , fulfull: perform usually implies an act for which a process or pattern of movement has already been established, especially one calling for skill or precision, or for the assignment or assumption of responsibility
perform a dance
perform drill work in rhythm
perform a miracle
perform an experiment
perform one's duties
they examine patients and perform simple forms of treatment under supervision — Bulletin of Meharry Medical College
perform such courtesies as writing letters of thanks to those who assisted — W.T.Gruhn
there were certain important functions which it was expected to perform — W.B.Graves
execute , similar to perform , stresses more the completion, especially the skillful completion, of the process or pattern of movement
execute a dance step
execute maneuvers
execute a difficult task
the escape was planned meticulously and executed boldly — Edmond Taylor
executed a precise and calculated campaign — V.L.Albjerg
discharge is generally used of the execution, especially in full, of duties or obligations
discharge a debt to society
discharge a monetary obligation
before setting sail he discharged all arrears of business and heard last-minute petitions and appeals — P.J.Phelan
accomplish emphasizes the idea of successful, often triumphant, completion of an act or attainment of an objective, especially one involving some difficulty
society enabled them to accomplish difficult enterprises — H.M.Parshley
this project was so vast and so quickly accomplished that it has no parallel — Lou Stoumen
elementary education … has tried to accomplish something when it should merely have tried to begin something — George Sampson
help a man to accomplish his destiny — W.J.Locke
achieve emphasizes the notion of a difficult end gained or of honor acquired in the process
achieve distinction
achieved a long-hoped-for dream — Americana Annual
the heights he has since achieved — Alec Bishop
effect , like achieve , emphasizes the notion of a difficult end gained but focuses the mind more on the force of the effective agent
were imprisoned until August 6, when friends effected their release — American Guide Series: Delaware
a chance to effect a compromise — American Guide Series: North Carolina
done more than perhaps any other modern critic to effect a revaluation of English literature — Edmund Wilson
fulfill implies a full realization of what exists potentially, or hitherto in conception, or in the nature or sense of responsibility of the agent
fulfill a promise
fulfilled his last duty — C.S.Forester
fulfill human hopes — A.E.Stevenson b.1900
fulfill the whole purpose of language — A.L.Guérard