Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.