Dictionary Definition

accomplish

1 put in effect; "carry out a task"; "execute the decision of the people"; "He actioned the operation" [syn: carry through, execute, carry out, action, fulfill, fulfil]

2 to gain with effort; "she achieved her goal despite setbacks" [syn: achieve, attain, reach]

User Contributed Dictionary

etyl ang acomplissen < etyl fro accomplir (French accomplir) < etyl la ad + complere. See also complete, finish.

To finish successfully.
To complete, as time or distance.
- That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. - Daniel 9:2
- He had accomplished half a league or more. - Prescott
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 22:37
To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.
- The armorers accomplishing the knights - Shakespeare, Henry V, IV-chorus
- 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. - Shakespeare

- Thou shalt accomplish my desire. - 1 Kings 5:9
- 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

to finish successfully

to complete, as time or distance

to bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to perform

to equip or furnish thoroughly

(obsolete) to gain; to obtain

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