Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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To complete, as time or distance.
That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
--Dan. ix. -
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. -
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. -
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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] To achieve (to come to the end or arrive at one's purpose) usually implies some enterprise or undertaking of importance, difficulty, and excellence.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context transitive English) To finish successfully. 2 (context transitive English) To complete, as time or distance. 3 (context transitive English) 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. 4 (context transitive archaic English) To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish. 5 (context transitive obsolete English) To gain; to obtain
WordNet
Usage examples of "accomplish".
Their example was universally imitated by their principal subjects, who were not afraid of declaring to the world that they had spirit to conceive, and wealth to accomplish, the noblest undertakings.
To accomplish these salutary ends, the constant residence of an Imperial governor, supported by a numerous army, was indispensably requisite.
Fritigern was doubtful whether he could accomplish the conclusion of the treaty, unless he found himself supported by the presence and terrors of an Imperial army.
It was naturally supposed, that the pious and humble monks, who had renounced the world to accomplish the work of their salvation, were the best qualified for the spiritual government of the Christians.
To accomplish that salutary end, Recared convened an assembly of the Arian clergy and nobles, declared himself a Catholic, and exhorted them to imitate the example of their prince.
To accomplish this design, he studied to protect his industrious subjects, and to moderate the violence, without enervating the valor, of his soldiers, who were maintained for the public defence.
The ample jurisdiction required by the farmers of the revenue to accomplish their engagements might be placed in an odious light, as if they had purchased from the emperor the lives and fortunes of their fellow-citizens.
As soon as they were relieved by the absence of the plebeian multitude, they encouraged each other, by interviews and messages, to accomplish their vow, and hasten their departure.
By planning openly and frequently, we will achieve more in a few months than we have been able to accomplish in decades.
A strict taskmaster, he would make certain the slaves behaved for her, so Norma could accomplish her goals on time.
The thinking machines had been eradicated here, and the humans had caused so much damage to accomplish it that even they could no longer live on their own ancestral home planet.
But only Ginaz warriors could be expected to accomplish missions such as these.
And you alone shall share it with me, keeping me strong, and helping me accomplish what I must.
He knew in his heart, though, that what he was about to do would accomplish far more.
None of her predecessors on Rossak had ever been able to accomplish anything approaching this.