Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Perform, v. Also: par- and -forme, -furm, -fourme. [ME. and e.m.E. par-, performe(n (14–15th c.), -fourme (Caxton), par-, perfourne(n etc. (14–15th c.), OF. (chiefly AF.) par-, perfourmer, furmer, -former (1291), altered (after forme Forme n., Forme v., Fourm(e n., Fourm(e v., Furme n. and Furme v.) f. OF. parfournir Perfurnis v.]

1. tr. To carry through, complete; to carry out, accomplish, execute. = Perfurnis v. 1.(a) 1513 Doug. vi. iii. 39.
Sibillais heste … forto perform Ib. v. 146. Ib. vii. Prol. 145.
To write onone I hynt a pen in hand Fortil perform the poet grave and sad Ib. xii. vi. 15. 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 182 n. 1562 Peebles B. Rec. I. 280.
We offer ws to performe all thingis according to the loveable vse of the cuntre 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 14.
And the principal … sal tak head that thyr thyngis be performit 1567 G. Ball. 80.
His word … Performit be the Haly Spreit 1575 Dickson & Edmond Ann. Sc. Printing 279. a1578 Pitsc. I. 313/23.
The laird … did great deliegence to performe the kingis wrytting Ib. II. 141/19.
Ane act that Schir Dawid Lyndsayis buike sould be … bruntt and so they performitt the same 1582 St. A. Kirk S. 491.
To proceid and performe thair repentance c1590 Fowler II. 21/16. 1592 Digest Justiciary Proc. P. 7.
Thair was sindrie moyens to performe that matter a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 141.
Thay … war … mistrustie that sik preparation sould be performit 1602 Colville Paraenese Ep. 4.
I vill not spair to … perform all lefull offices of kyndnes 1604 Dundee Shipping P. 80.
Now be the gress of God y sall com heme mayself with dellegenss this woyag performit 1616 Crim. Trials III. 586.
Be ressone ȝe inlaikit laser and helpis to performe the samyn 1617 Old Ross-shire I. 32.
Pleis … to receive the heids quhilks I desyr to be performit to me but ony forther delay 1631–49 Conv. Burghs IV. 542.
Ilk burgh … may be encouraged to performe ane carefull duty in the repacking and makeing of the saids herrings 1675 Stirlings of Keir 508.
An ingein [sc. for weaving] by which ane man will perform mor work in on day [etc.](b) 1560 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xliii.
Gyif thair be ony vthir thing it vill pleis your grace to command I sall do my diligens to parfurm the samin

b. To carry out or execute (a ceremony or rite). 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 405.
[The coronation] cannot be … with so great … luster performed [etc.] 1661 Mercurius Caledonius 6 Jan.
The Lord Commissioners Grace … performed the dayes worship in the house

c. absol. or intr. 1558-66 Knox II. 263.
Thou may … see how potentlie God hath performed … in the aiges that have passed befoir us 1635 Elgin Rec. II. 229.
Duncan Farquhar … was handfastit with Jonet Bandochy … and set Alexander Phimester cautioun for the woman performing, payne 5 lib.

2. To bring about, effect (a specified result). 1552 Reg. Privy C. I. 136.
Sua that … thair suld be na thing left undone that may performe the reasing of the said fittmen

3. = Perfurnis v. 4. 1497 Douglas Chart. 165.
The said Willȝeme has perfurmit and bygit the said altar 1583 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 311.
For … biging of ane speciall hows … abone the new yett … the appeirand expensis in all materialiis [etc.] … to performe the said hows to [£3000] 1596 Dalr. II. 41/27.
Heirefter he performet the chartirhous in Perth [marg. He compleited the chartirhous] 1611 Macgibbon & Ross V. 5.
To big and performe to the said George … ane hous ane jame turnpyiks [etc.]

4. To complete the making of (an artefact) by an addition. = Perfurnis v. 5.(a) 1503 Treas. Acc. II. 237.
For … mynever to performe the lynyng of it 1565 Ib. XI. 381.
Woll to performe the mathelassis(b) 1506 Treas. Acc. III. 265.
For ane mantill of callabar to parfourme the said goun