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.]
-
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.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of accomplish English)
Usage examples of "accomplishing".
I know no single agency which is accomplishing so much in the task of uplifting the race as the Negro pulpit.
These machines are operated as rapidly as a person can think of the letters which compose a word, each operator thus accomplishing the work of several copyists.
Bonaparte was, however, mistaken as to the mode of accomplishing the object he had in view.
Several chances had presented themselves for accomplishing what he had set out to do, but his courage had failed him each time.
But he was gone, and even being without him would not stop her from accomplishing what was necessary.
The obvious growth of bureaucracy showed that the League was already stagnating, wandering down a wrong path that would prevent them from accomplishing anything great.
She has been accomplishing this for days, and each time she does so her ability increases.
And do you also know that had your egocentric, blind lead wizard not been so protective of his silly secret of the training of young females in the craft, you could have easily stopped me from accomplishing all that I have?
In accomplishing this end, his age, the regard in which he was held by all classes of people, his known disinterestedness and independence, fitted him to exert a large influence.
He understood the temper of the House very well and had great influence in accomplishing anything he undertook.
He believed that the holding of public office was the best method of accomplishing public results.
But he seems to me to have erred in underrating the value of party instrumentalities and of official power in accomplishing what is best for the good of the people.
He was content to do his share in accomplishing public results, and leave to others whatever of fame or glory might result from having accomplished them.
The difference between us is a difference of methods in accomplishing the same result.
If you and I differ, it is only as to what is the best means of accomplishing these ends.