Accomplish \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.
Usage: 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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