| 释义 |
performer|pəˈfɔːmə(r)|
[f. perform + -er1.]
One who (or that which) performs.
1. a. One who carries out or fulfils a promise, undertaking, etc.; one who executes or does an action or piece of work; an agent, doer, worker.
1588–9Reg. Privy Council Scot. IV. 364 The partie observair and performair of the premissis. a1592Greene Jas. IV, ii. ii, A fit performer of our enterprise. 1604Shakes. All's Well iii. vi. 65. 1655 Fuller Hist. Camb. (1840) 108 The ‘undertakers’ in our present age have happily lost their first name in a far better of ‘performers’. 1866J. G. Murphy Comm. Exod. xxxiii. 19 The Keeper of covenant, the Performer of promise.
b. Said of a horse in reference to its style of performance in racing, etc.: cf. quots. s.v. perform 6 c.
1884Illustr. Sport. & Dram. News 16 Feb. 563/2 What a pity it is that such a good-looking horse..should be such an uncertain performer!
2. a. One who performs a part in a play, a piece of music, athletic exercises, tricks, etc., as a public exhibition of art or skill; one who gives or takes part in a performance or public entertainment; an actor, player, singer, etc.
1711Steele Spect. No. 141 ⁋2 In Theatrical Speaking, if the Performer is not exactly proper and graceful, he is utterly ridiculous. 1741H. Walpole Lett. to Mann (1834) I. xvi. 58 We have got the famous Bettina to dance, but she is a most indifferent performer. 1776Burney Hist. Mus. (1789) I. ii. i. 280 Celebrated performers on the flute. 1836–9Dickens Sk. Boz, Mrs. J. Porter, None of the performers could walk in their tights, or move their arms in their jackets. 1845E. Holmes Mozart 5 An admirable performer on the violin.
b. One who ‘performs’ (see perform v. 7 e); one who causes trouble or disturbance. slang (chiefly Naut.).
1937Partridge Dict. Slang 619/1 Performer,..one who is apt to make a great fuss or noise. 1946Seafarers' Log 6 Dec. 10/5 You get a performer aboard a ship who makes it bad not only for himself but for the crew and the Union. 1958E. S. Land Winning War with Ships xiv. 193 In the early months of World War II unions were battling against a threat of the Navy taking over merchant marine personnel because of reported incidents of drunkenness, insubordination and trouble making by individuals whom the unions called ‘performers’.
†3. That which brings about or produces something. Obs.
1616Anthony (title) The Apologie or Defence of a verity..called Avrvm Potabile..especially auaileable for the..comforting of the Heart and vitall Spirits the performers of health.
Add:4. Comm. An investment which yields a high (low, etc.) return; esp. one which is profitable.
[1927J. Durand Business of Trading in Stocks vi. 51 Had he only bought..a few of those star performers, his profits for the day would have run into hundreds.] 1939Financial World 11 Jan. 5/3 Store shares have not been spectacular performers. 1955Forbes (N.Y.) 15 July 42/3 The star performers in this very incomplete list are Fidelity Fund..and Axe Houghton Fund. 1976Economist 22 May 83/1 Star performers of the 1960s and early 1970s face a less favourable world. 1989Bond Buyer 10 Apr. 3 Financial company bonds were the top performers in the investment grade market. |