Ac*com"plish (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accomplished (&?;), p. pr. & vb. n.
Accomplishing.]
[OE. acomplissen, OF.
accomplir, F. accomplir; L. ad + complere to fill up, complete. See Complete, Finish.] 1. To complete, as time or distance.
That He would
accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Dan. ix.
2.
He had accomplished half a league
or more.
Prescott.
2. To bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to
perform; to execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a design, an object, a promise.
This that is
written must yet be accomplished in me.
Luke xxii.
37.
3. To
equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.
The armorers accomplishing the knights.
Shak.
It [the moon] is fully accomplished
for all those ends to which Providence did appoint it.
Wilkins.
These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman.
Cowden Clarke.
4. To gain; to obtain. [Obs.] Shak.
Syn. -- To do; perform; fulfill; realize; effect; effectuate; complete; consummate; execute; achieve; perfect; equip; furnish. -- To Accomplish, Effect, Execute,
Achieve, Perform. These words agree in the
general idea of carrying out to some end proposed. To accomplish (to fill up to the measure of the intention) generally
implies perseverance and
skill; as, to accomplish a plan proposed by one's self, an object, a design, an undertaking. "Thou shalt accomplish my desire." 1 Kings v. 9.
He . . .
expressed his desire to see a union accomplished
between England and
Scotland.
Macaulay.
To
effect (to work out) is much like accomplish. It usually
implies some degree of difficulty contended with; as, he
effected or accomplished what he intended, his purpose, but little. "What he decreed, he effected." Milton.
To work in close design by fraud or guile
What force effected not.
Milton.
To execute (to follow out to
the end, to
carry out, or into effect) implies a set mode of operation; as, to execute the laws or the
orders of another; to execute a work, a purpose, design, plan, project. To perform is much like
to do, though less generally applied. It conveys
a notion of
protracted and methodical
effort; as, to perform a mission, a part, a task,
a work. "Thou canst best perform that office." Milton.
The Saints, like stars, around his seat
Perform their courses still.
Keble.
To achieve (to come to the end or arrive
at one's purpose) usually implies some
enterprise or undertaking of importance, difficulty, and excellence.
Hear it pronounced