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Performance or rendering of such a composition.

Strictly: A band suitable for the performance of symphonies, overtures, etc., as well as for the accompaniment of operas, oratorios, cantatas, masses, and the like, or of vocal and instrumental solos.

ed; an organized existence; an organism; specif. (Biol.), an arrangement of parts for the performance of the functions necessary to life. The cell may be regarded as the most simple, the most common, and the earliest form of organization. McKendrick.

To go beyond in performance; to excel; to surpass. An imposture outdoes the original. L' Estrange. I grieve to be outdone by Gay. Swift.

The act of taking pains; carefulness and fidelity in performance. Beau. & Fl.

The character or performances of a pantaloon; buffoonery. [R.] Lamb.

ut speaking; a pantomimist. [He] saw a pantomime perform so well that he could follow the performance from the action alone. Tylor.

means of repairing a sin committed, and obtaining pardon for it, consisting partly in the performance of expiatory rites, partly in voluntary submission to a punishment corresponding to the transgression. Penance is the fourth of seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Schaff-Herzog Encyc. And bitter penance, wi…

A fivefold athletic performance peculiar to the great national games of the Greeks, including leaping, foot racing, wrestling, throwing the discus, and throwing the spear.

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

Performance on an instrument of music.

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.…

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

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.

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 next in crime." Milton.…

Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise. A heart . . . exercised with covetous practices. 2 Pet. ii. 14.…

An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture. The last Georgic wa…

A first performance, as of a play; a first night.