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.
