Definition of DO:

part of speech: verb

To act; to practise; to perform; to achieve; to succeed; to fulfil a purpose; to finish or end, as, " I have done with the book;" to cease to be concerned, as, " I have done with him;" in Scrip., to make, as, " we do you to wit," that is, " we make you to know;" put into the form of, as, " done into verse;" to fare; to be in a state in regard to health.

part of speech: noun

Pronounced as if written, an abbreviation of ditto, which see.

part of speech: noun

A cheat; an imposture.

part of speech: verb transitive

To cheat.

part of speech: noun

In music, the Italian name for the first or C note in the scale.

Usage examples:

• How do you do it, Misther Withero? Alexander Irvine in "My Lady of the Chimney Corner".

• But what is Leo to do Ralph Bonehill in "Leo the Circus Boy".

• Do is the one comprehensive word which includes this whole class. We may say of the least item of daily work, " It is done," and of the grandest human achievement, " Well done!" Finish and complete signify to bring to an end what was previously begun; there is frequently the difference in usage that finish is applied to the fine details and is superficial, while complete is comprehensive, being applied to the whole ideal, plan, and execution; as, to finish a statue; to complete a scheme of philosophy. To discharge is to do what is given in charge, expected, or required; as, to discharge the duties of the office. To fulfil is to do or to be what has been promised, expected, hoped, or desired; as, a son fulfils a father's hopes. Realize, effect, execute, and consummate all signify to embody in fact what was before in thought. One may realize that which he has done nothing to bring about; he may realize the dreams of youth by inheriting a fortune; but he can not effect his early designs except by doing the utmost that is necessary to make them fact. Effect includes all that is done to accomplish the intent; execute refers rather to the final steps; consummate is limited quite sharply to the concluding act. An officer executes the law when he proceeds against its violators; a purchase is consummated when the money is paid and the property delivered. Execute refers more commonly to the commands of another, effect and consummate to one's own designs; as, the commander effected the capture of the fort, because his officers and men promptly executed his commands. Achieve&# 8212; to do something worthy of a chief&# 8212; signifies always to perform some great and generally some worthy exploit. Perform and accomplish both imply working toward the end; but perform always allows a possibility of not attaining, while accomplish carries the thought of full completion. In Longfellow's lines, " Patience; accomplish thy labor," etc., perform could not be substituted without great loss. As between complete and accomplish, complete considers rather the thing as done; accomplish, the whole process of doing it. Commit, as applied to actions, is used only of those that are bad, whether grave or trivial; perpetrate is used chiefly of aggravated crimes or, somewhat humorously, of blunders. A man may commit a sin, a trespass, or a murder; perpetrate an outrage or a felony. We finish a garment or a letter, complete an edifice or a life- work, consummate a bargain or a crime, discharge a duty, effect a purpose, execute a command, fulfil a promise, perform our daily tasks, realize an ideal, accomplish a design, achieve a victory. Compare TRANSACT; TRANSACTION. in "".

• Please don't do that, Athena. Marie Belloc Lowndes in "Jane Oglander".