† perˈfurnish, v. Obs. Chiefly Sc. and north. dial.
Forms: α. 4–5 perfornys, -yce, 4–6 perfurnis, -ys, -ysch, -isshe, 5 perfournys, (Caxton parfor-, -four-, -furny(s)she), 6 perfurneis(e, -eiss, 9 arch. perfurnish. β. 5 perfourmys, 6 Sc. perfurmis, -meis.
[f. F. parfourniss-, lengthened stem of parfournir, in OF. to achieve, complete, accomplish, furnish completely, furnish with what is wanting to completeness (in Britton, Gower, etc.), f. par through = per- 2 + fournir to accomplish, complete, supply, furnish, q.v. Perfurnish is connected with perform by the intermediate ME. parfourne, parfourny (see perform), and 16th c. perfurmis, perfourmys, here.]
1. trans. To perform, carry out, execute: = perform 5, 6.
| α 1375 Barbour Bruce xii. 61 This wes the first strak of the ficht, That wes perfornyst douchtely. 1442 Aberdeen Regr. (1844) I. 397 Thai sall fulfill and perfornyce his said werk efter the tenour of the endentour. c 1489 Caxton Blanchardyn xliii. 169 To parfurnysshe her request. 1512 Helyas in Thoms Prose Rom. (1828) III. 63 Then Helyas perfurnisshed his purpose. a 1572 Knox Hist. Ref. Wks. 1846 I. 445 To perfurneise hir wicked interprises. |
| β 1592 Lyndesay's Monarche 4151 Quhen thay had done perfurmeis [ed. 1552 perfurneis] his intents. |
b. intr. for pass. To admit of being carried out.
| 1393 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) I. 186 In kase be that this wyt⁓word will noght perfurnysche, I will it be abrydged; for I will hafe of na mans part bot of myne aune. |
2. To furnish, supply (
orig. what was wanted to complete):
= perform 1 b.
† Also with
forth.
| α 1533 Bellenden Livy iii. ii. (S.T.S.) 247 To perfurnis þis batall,..the latynis..war commandit to gif þair maist reddy support. 1536 ― Cron. Scot. (1821) II. 469 Ane of thir clannis wantit ane man to perfurnis furth the nowmer. a 1557 Diurn. Occurrents (Bannatyne Cl.) 37 To perfurneiss ane thowsand horsmen for thrie monethis. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 288 Pulder and bullat sic as he might perfurneis at that tyme. 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd (1827) 178 That near him did perfurnish'd stand Wi' a' his battle-gear. |
| β 1420 Searchers Verdicts in Surtees Misc. (1888) 15 Thay sall hafe all the lede that ys thare nowe, and perfourmys the remenand of thayr costes. |
3. To decorate, trim, ‘furnish’:
= perform 2 b.
| 1375–6 Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees) 582 In perfurnisyng capucium domini Prioris..ex furura propria. |
4. To finish, bring to completion:
= perform 1.
| α c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 7937 This thing to ende to perfournys. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xii. 304 Goo a side & lete vs parfornysshe our batayll. 1490 ― Eneydos xvi. 62 To gyue hym commaundement..that he parfournyshe hys vyage. |
| β 1553 Douglas' æneis iii. viii. 82 Fra that perfurmist [MS. perfurnist] was our offerand day. |