performable (performabl)

[ Men herein do strangely forget the obvious relations of history, affirming they [elephants) have no joints, whereas they daily read of several actions which are not perform able without them. Sir T. Browne , Vulg. Err., iii. 1. performance (per-fôr'mans), n. [ perform ance of works or of an undertaking; the performance of duty. Usele are all words, Till you have writ performance with your swords. Fletcher ( and another ), Love's Cure, i. 1. An Acre of Performance is worth the whole Land of Promise. Howell, Letters, iv. 38. Promises are not binding where the performance is unlawful. Paley , Moral Philos., III. i. 5. 2. That which is performed or accomplished; action; deed; thing done; a piece of work. in Her walking and other actual performances. Shak., Macbeth, v. 1. 13. It is the work of Mons. Poitrieh, who adorned a chapel the same manner at Falcouse, two leagues from Bonne, which is said to be a most beautiful performance. the Pococke , Description of the East, II. ii. 222. 3. A musical, dramatic, or other entertainment; ramatic, acting of a play, execution of vocal or instrumental music, exhibition of skill, etc., especially at a place of amusement. - Specific performance, in law , actual performance, or an action to compel actual performance, as distinguished from the payment of damages as a compensation for non-performance. Syn. 1. Accomplishment, achievement, consummation. See perform . 2. Exploit, feat.-3. Production. performancyt, n. [As performance (see -cy).] Performance. Davies. performationt, n. [ This Indenture made... for the per formation of ye things vnderwritten. Hakluyt's Voyages, I. 164. performer (per-former), n. 1. One who performs, accomplishes, or fulfils. Even share hath he that keeps his tent, and he to field doth go:... The much performer, and the man that can of nothing vaunt. Chapman , Iliad, ix. 2. One who performs or takes part in a play or performance of any kind; an actor, actre , musician, circus-rider, etc. Mr. Johnson, a performer of sound judgment, who succeeded in many walks in comedy. Life of Quin (reprint, 1887), p. 16. Whilst in past times the performer treated his instru ment [piano] as a respected and beloved friend, and almost care ed it, many of our present performers appear to treat it as an enemy, who has to be fought with, and at last conquered. Grove, Dict. Music, II. 744. Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou Perform'd , my Ariel. Shak ., Tempest, iii. 3. 84. In November [1753]... Foote himself performed the character of Buck at Drury-lane theatre. W. Cooke , Life of S. Foote, I. 35. 51. To make up; constitute; complete. executing; accomplishing.-2. 2. Trained to perform tricks or play a part:: as, performing dogs. per fri cate (per fri-kāt), v. t.; pret. and (pėr fri-kāt), v. t.; pret. and pp. per fricated, ppr. per fri cat ing. [ It. It. per fri care ), rub all over, per fri cat us, out of thirty, than shal the remenant that leveth per for me the hour in equal by nyght. Chaucer, Astrolabe, ii. 10. The confe our heere for his worthyne e Shal parfourne up the nombre of his covent. + -ion . ] ion .] A thorough rubbing, especially the rubbing in of some unctuous substance through the pores of the skin; inunction. 6t. To afford; furnish. Certes ther nis non other thyng that may so wel per forme blysfulne e as an est at plentyvos of alle goodes. 7. To sing, or render on a musical instrument. + -atory.] Yielding perfume; perfuming. A per fumatory or incense altar. perfuncturate Away, away, thy sweets are too perfuming . Quarles, Emblems, v. 15. There the priest perfumed me o'er with clouds of fragrant incense. Const an tine and Arete (Child's Ballads, I. 309). The furze-scent perfumes all the air. M. Arnold, Stanzas composed at Carnac. perfume (per'füm or per-füm'), n. [ She toke for perfume the ryndes of olde rosemary and burned them. Sir T. Elyot , Castle of Health, iv. 2. 2. The scent, odor, or volatile particles emitted from odorous substances, especially those that are sweet-smelling. An amber scent of odorous perfume Her harbinger. Milton , S. A., 1. 720. Ev'n the rough rocks with tender myrtle bloom, And trodden weeds send out a rich perfume . Add is on, Letter from Italy. =Syn. 2. Fragrance , Aroma , etc. (see smell, n.), balmine , redolence, incense. perfume-burner (per'füm-bėr"nėr), n . A ve el in which odorous substances, as pastils, are burned. IMG:content-2682.png:[blocks in formation]