Webster's English Dictionary

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perform

per.form \p*(r)-'fo.(*)rm\ \-'fo.r-m*-b*l\ vb [ME performen, fr. AF 
   performer, alter. of LF perfournir, fr.] per- thoroughly (fr. L) + fournir 
   to complete - more at FURNISH 1: to adhere to the terms of : FULFILL  2: to 
   carry out : DO  3a: to do in a formal manner or according to prescribed 
   ritual  3b: to give a rendition of : PRESENT  1: to carry out an action or 
   pattern of behavior : ACT, FUNCTIO N 2: to give a performance : PLAY 
   EFFECT, FULFILL; PERFORM implies action that follows established patterns 
   or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes 
   special skill; DISCHARGE implies execution and completion of appointed 
   duties or tasks; ACCOMPLISH stresses the successful completion of a process 
   rather than the means of carrying it out; ACHIEVE adds to ACCOMPLISH the 
   implication of conquered difficulties; EFFECT adds to ACHIEVE an emphasis 
   on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles; 
   FULFILL implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities - 
   per.form.able aj SYN syn EXECUTE, DISCHARGE, ACCOMPLISH, ACHIEVE,