Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Perform \Per*form"\, v. i.
   To do, execute, or accomplish something; to acquit one's self
   in any business; esp., to represent sometimes by action; to
   act a part; to play on a musical instrument; as, the players
   perform poorly; the musician performs on the organ.

Perform \Per*form"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Performed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Performing}.] [OE. performen, parfourmen, parfournen,
   OF. parfornir, parfournir, to finish, complete; OF. & F. par
   (see {Par}) + fournir to finish, complete. The word has been
   influenced by form; cf. L. performare to form thoroughly. See
   {Furnish}.]
   1. To carry through; to bring to completion; to achieve; to
      accomplish; to execute; to do.

            I will cry unto God most high, unto God that
            performeth all things for me.         --Ps. lvii. 2.

            Great force to perform what they did attempt. --Sir
                                                  P. Sidney.

   2. To discharge; to fulfill; to act up to; as, to perform a
      duty; to perform a promise or a vow.

            To perform your father's will.        --Shak.

   3. To represent; to act; to play; as in drama.

            Perform a part thou hast not done before. --Shak.

   Syn: To accomplish; do; act; transact; achieve; execute;
        discharge; fulfill; effect; complete; consummate. See
        {Accomplish}.

Source : WordNet®

perform
     v 1: carry out or perform an action; "John did the painting, the
          weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters"; "the skater
          executed a triple pirouette"; "she did a little dance"
          [syn: {execute}, {do}]
     2: perform a function; "Who will perform the wedding?"
     3: give a performance (of something); "Horowitz is performing
        at Carnegie Hall tonight"; "We performed a popular Gilbert
        and Sullivan opera"
     4: get (something) done; "I did my job" [syn: {do}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

PERFORM
     
         A {COBOL} statement used for executing
        "paragraphs".
     
        [What's a paragraph?]
     
        (1997-06-10)