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a superior power, or to a government; loyality. It is no longer the practice to exact the performance of fealty, as a feudal obligation. Wharton (Law Dict. ). Tomlins.

Fact; performance. [Obs.]

A complete or ridiculous failure, esp. of a musical performance, or of any pretentious undertaking.

The closing part, piece, or scene in any public performance or exhibition.

Actually in preparation, execution, or performance; carried on hotly; raging. A war the most powerful of the native tribes was flagrant. Palfrey.

fixed upon while in motion; to keep the mind upon while in progress, as a speech, musical performance, etc.; also, to keep up with; to understand the meaning, connection, or force of, as of a course of thought or argument. He followed with his eyes the flitting shade. Dryden.

n intention, promise, or prophecy, a desire, prayer, or requirement, etc.; to complete by performance; to answer the requisitions of; to bring to pass, as a purpose or design; to effectuate. He will, fulfill the desire of them fear him. Ps. cxlv. 199. Here Nature seems fulfilled in all her ends. Milton. Servants must t…

Execution; performance; as, the fulfillment of a promise.

One charged with the performance of a function or office; as, a public functionary; secular functionaries.

A pledge or pawn; something laid down or given as a security for the performance of some act by the person depositing it, and forfeited by nonperformance; security. Nor without gages to the needy lend. Sandys.

In law and common usage: A promise to answer for the payment of some debt, or the performance of some duty, in case of the failure of another person, who is, in the first instance, liable to such payment or performance; an engagement which secures or insures another against a contingency; a warranty; a security. Same a…

In law and common usage: An undertaking to answer for the payment of some debt, or the performance of some contract or duty, of another, in case of the failure of such other to pay or perform; a guarantee; a warranty; a security.

Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity. He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator. Addison.

To furnish with strength or means for the successful performance of any action or the attainment of any object; to aid; to assist; as, to help a man in his work; to help one to remember; -- the following infinitive is commonly used without to; as, "Help me scale yon balcony." Longfellow.

An arena for equestrian performances; a circus.

having become very popular or acclaimed; -- said of entertainment performances; as, a hit record, a hit movie.

rary obstruction; an obstacle; as, a hitch in one's progress or utterance; a hitch in the performance.

or steam engines and other prime movers for doing work. It is the power required for the performance of work at the rate of 33,000 English units of work per minute; hence, it is the power that must be exerted in lifting 33,000 pounds at the rate of one foot per minute, or 550 pounds at the rate of one foot per second,…

A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight. Shak. He that hath a wife and children hath given hostages to fortune…

To deprive of legal or constitutional requisites, or of ability or competency for the performance of certain civil acts; to disqualify. It absolutely incapacitated them from holding rank, office, function, or property. Milman.