perform: [14] If the word perform had carried on as it started out, it would now be perfurnish (as indeed it was in northern and Scottish English from the 14th to the 16th centuries). For it comes ultimately from Old French parfournir, a compound verb formed from the intensive prefix par- and fournir ‘accomplish’ (source of English furnish). By association with forme ‘form’, this was altered in Anglo-Norman to parformer – whence English perform. => furnish
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.
双语例句
1. He can perform an astonishing variety of acts, including mime and juggling.
他能表演好几种令人惊叹的把戏，包括哑剧和玩杂耍。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The group perform variations on soul and gospel music.
这个乐队演奏灵歌和福音音乐的变奏曲。
来自柯林斯例句
3. "State-owned industries will always perform poorly," John Moore informed readers.
“国有企业经营不善将是常态，”约翰·穆尔告诉读者。
来自柯林斯例句
4. She strove to perform all her wifely functions perfectly.
她努力做一个无可挑剔的贤妻。
来自柯林斯例句
5. When there's snow and ice, how's this car going to perform?
