PERFORMATIVE

PRONUNCIATION: (puhr-FOR-muh-tiv)

MEANING: adjective: Relating to a statement that functions as an action by the fact of its being uttered.

NOTES: Some examples of performative utterances are I promise, I apologize, I bet, I resign, etc. By saying I promise a person actually performs the act of promising.

ETYMOLOGY: From Old French parfournir, from par (through) + fournir (to furnish). Earliest documented use: 1922.
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A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: There is nothing more dangerous than a government of the many controlled by the few. -Lawrence Lessig, professor and political activist (b. 3 Jun 1961)
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APERFORMATIVE - monkey-shaped

PERFORATIVE - pointed