a. and sb. [a. F. exécutant, pr. pple. of exécuter to EXECUTE.]

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  A.  adj. That performs (music). rare.

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1865.  Reader, No. 123. 523/2. Any living executant musician.

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  B.  sb.

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  1.  gen. One who executes, performs, or carries out. Const. of.

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1858.  J. Martineau, Studies Chr., 151. This world may be regarded … as the stage of divine agency, using the visible actors as the executants of an invisible thought.

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1860.  J. R. Clayton, in Times, 11 Oct., 10/6. Mr. Philip being the executant of the whole of the work.

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1868.  Browning, Ring & Bk., V. 2003. Absolve then me law’s mere executant.

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  2.  esp. A musical performer.

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a. 1859.  De Quincey, in ‘H. A. Page,’ Life (1877), II. xix. 174. All great executants on the organ.

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1862.  R. H. Patterson, Ess. Hist. & Art, 90. The soul, at once composer and executant.

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1872.  Geo. Eliot, Middlem., xvi. Rosamond, with the executant’s instinct, had seized his manner of playing.

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