performance
UK[pəˈfɔːməns]US[pərˈfɔːrməns]
n
The act of performing a play, piece of music, or other entertainment before an audience.
n
How well or badly a person, machine, or organization does a particular job or activity.
n
The action or process of carrying out or accomplishing a task or function.
Morpheme Breakdown
per
form
ance
per
completely
form
shape, execute
ance
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'performance' has its roots in the Anglo-Norman 'parfourmer', meaning to carry out or complete. This verb was itself built from Latin elements: the intensive prefix 'per-' (meaning "thoroughly") and the verb 'formare' (meaning "to shape or form"). Thus, the original literal sense was "to form or carry through to completion". By the late 15th century, it had evolved into the noun 'performance', initially denoting the completion or execution of a commanded action. Over time, its application broadened from the mere act of carrying out a task to specifically denote the manner or quality of that execution, especially in the contexts of artistic presentation and functional efficiency, capturing both the process and the result of formative action.
Analysis
Structure: per (completely) + form (shape, execute) + ance (noun suffix)
- per: Latin origin, meaning "through, completely". Acts as an intensive prefix.
- form: Latin origin, from 'forma' meaning "shape, mold, pattern". Acts as the core root meaning "to shape, to execute".
- ance: Latin origin, from '-antia', a suffix forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
The orchestra gave a stunning performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
The car's performance on wet roads was impressive.
Regular monitoring is essential for evaluating the performance of the new software.