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A performer, esp. a skilled performer, on the piano.

Soft; -- a direction to the performer to execute a certain passage softly, and with diminished volume of tone. (Abbrev. p.)

of the same kind; an individual article; a distinct single effort of a series; a definite performance; especially:

To perform, as a tune, by playing on a pipe, flute, fife, etc.; to utter in the shrill tone of a pipe. A robin . . . was piping a few querulous notes. W. Irving.

To perform a pirouette; to whirl, like a dancer.

To perform the act of planting. I have planted; Apollos watered. 1 Cor. iii. 6.

roof, or a raised floor, or portion of a floor; a landing; a dais; a stage, for speakers, performers, or workmen; a standing place.

To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute. One that . . . can play well on an instrument. Ezek. xxxiii. 32. Play, my friend, and charm the charmer. Granville.

One who frequents playhouses, or attends dramatic performances.

Anything given or considered as a security for the performance of an act; a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for the performance of treaties. "That voice, their liveliest pledge of hope." Milton.

To pledge; to give as a pledge for the performance of some act; as, to plight faith, honor, word; -- never applied to property or goods. " To do them plighte their troth." Piers Plowman. He plighted his right hand Unto another love, and to another land. Spenser. Here my inviolable faith I plight. Dryden.…

To practice or perform with diligence; to work at. Their bloody task, unwearied, still they ply. Waller.

A dance of Polish origin, but now common everywhere. It is performed by two persons in common time.

To perform the duty of a pontiff.

A breed of dogs having curly hair, and often showing remarkable intelligence in the performance of tricks.

Without skill or merit; as, he performs poorly. Poorly off, not well off; not rich.

m set himself. Shak. The posture of a poetic figure is a description of his heroes in the performance of such or such an action. Dryden.

To perform a certain movement in a dance. [R.] Tennyson. Down the middle, up again, poussette, and cross. J. & H. Smith.

Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for action or performance; capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral: potency; might; as, a man of great power; the power of capillary attraction; money gives power. "One next himself in power, and…

juration attended with great noise and confusion, and often with feasting, dancing, etc., performed by Indians for the cure of diseases, to procure success in hunting or in war, and for other purposes.