do

do [1] ► VERB (does; past did; past part. done) 1) perform or carry out (an action). 2) achieve or complete (a specified target). 3) act or progress in a specified way. 4) work on (something) to bring it to a required state. 5) have a specified result or effect on: the walk will do me good. 6) work at for a living or take as one's subject of study: what does she do? 7) make or provide. 8) be suitable or acceptable: he'll do. 9) (be/have done with) give up concern for; have finished with. 10) informal regularly take (a narcotic drug).

► AUXILIARY VERB 1) used before a verb in questions and negative statements. 2) used to refer back to a verb already mentioned: he looks better than he did before. 3) used in negative or positive commands, or to give emphasis to a positive verb: do sit down.

► NOUN (pl. dos or do's) informal, chiefly Brit. ▪ a party or other social event.

● be done up — Cf. ↑be done up

● do away with — Cf. ↑do away with

● do for — Cf. ↑do for

● do one's head in — Cf. ↑do one's head in

● do in — Cf. ↑do in

● do or die — Cf. ↑do or die

● do out of — Cf. ↑do out of

● dos and don'ts — Cf. ↑dos and don'ts

● do time — Cf. ↑do time

● do up — Cf. ↑do up

● do with — Cf. ↑do with

DERIVATIVES doable adjective (informal ) doer noun.

ORIGIN Old English.