† ˈcomplish, v. Obs.
Forms: 4 complyssen, 5 -pl(e)yssh(en, -pleisshe, -pless(h, 5–6 -plish(e, 6 complissh.
[ME. complyss-en, a. compliss- extended stem of OF. complir to fill up, fulfil, accomplish = Pr. complir, Sp. cumplir, It. compiere, compire, repr. (with change of conjugation) L. complēre to fill up: see complete. In later times perh. sometimes aphetic for accomplish.]
1. trans. To fill up, fill.
| c 1450 Merlin iv. 61 Who shall fulfille the place that is voyde..he that shall a-complysshe that sete must also complysshe the voyde place at the table that Ioseph made. |
2. To accomplish, fulfil.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. 124 Yif they myhte nat complyssen þat they coueyten. c 1400 Rom. Rose 2132 To compleysshen and fulfille My comaundementis. c 1450 Paper Roll in 3rd Rep. Comm. Hist. MSS. (1872) 279/1 The delivraunce of the seid Duke..which he complessed withoute other payements. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 27 b, Whan this mariage..shall be complisshed and performed. 1587 Turberv. Trag. T. (1837) 117 To complishe his request. 1596 Spenser F.Q. v. xi. 41 Ye..kept [me] from complishing the faith which I did owe. |
Hence ˈcomplishing vbl. n.
| 1449 Will in Churchw. Acc. St. George's, Stamford (Nichols 1797) 132 Mony..to be bestowed upon the complishyng and endyng of the said Chirch of Stamford. |