performance English · revision 3482

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1494|origins=fro parfornir}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /pəˈfɔː.məns/, US /pɚˈfɔːr.məns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|perform|-ance]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) and Hoad suggests it may come from an Anglo-Norman *performance.^(Hoad 1986) The verb [[perform]] is [[inh|enm|parfourmen]], [[bor|xno|parfourmer]], an alteration, after Old French [[m|fro|forme|t=form]], of [[m|fro|parfornir|t=to do, carry out, finish]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|fro|par-|t=completely]] and [[m|fro|fornir|t=to provide]], the source of [[furnish]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Accomplishment, the carrying out of something: 1494,^(OED 1989) or the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) Hoad notes that it was at first a legal word.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The carrying out of a command, duty or promise is from 1531.^(OED 1989) Something performed, a deed, is from 1599^(OED 1989) or the 1590s.^(Etymonline) The capability of a machine, and how well something works, is from 1598.^(HTOED) The performing of a play, part or piece of music is from about 1611^(OED 1989) or the 1610s,^(Etymonline) and a public entertainment from 1709.^(Etymonline) The earlier Middle English noun was ''performing'', from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) In psychology ''performance'' is measurable behaviour, from 1898, and in linguistics it is contrasted with ''competence'' from 1963.^(OED 1989) ''Performance art'' is from 1971.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1494 – accomplishment.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1531 – the carrying out of a duty.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1598 – how well something functions.^(HTOED)

+ * c. 1611 – the performing of a play.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1709 – a public entertainment.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1898 – in psychology.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1963 – in linguistics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1971 – ''performance art''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of performing, or the state of being performed.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # The act or style of performing a work or role before an audience.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A presentation, especially a theatrical one, before an [[audience]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # The way in which someone or something functions: ''the car's performance''.^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+ # Something performed; an [[accomplishment]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(linguistics)'' The actual use of language, as opposed to [[competence]].^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[misperformance]]

+ * [[nonperformance]]

+ * [[reperformance]]

+ * [[specific performance]]

+ * [[performance art]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[perform]]

+ * [[performer]]

+ * [[furnish]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}