accomplish, v.
(əˈkʌmplɪʃ, əˈkɒmplɪʃ)
Also accomplice, -ise, -isse, -yshe, -ysshe, -issh(e.
[a. OFr. acompliss- extended stem of acomplir, acumplir, now accomplir (as in pr. pple. accompliss-ant):—late L. accomplēre (f. ac- = ad- to + complēre to fill up, complete): see -ish. The historical pronunc. is (əˈkʌmplɪʃ); said in 1884 (N.E.D.) to have ‘recently given way’ to a pronunciation (əˈkɒmplɪʃ) founded on the spelling, but nonetheless widely current during the 20th cent.]
1. trans. To fulfil, perform, or carry out (an undertaking, design, desire, promise, etc.).
| c 1386 Chaucer Melib. 199 Grete thinges ben not ay accompliced by strengthe, ne by delyvernes of body, but by good counseil. c 1450 Merlin 61 It shall not be in thy tyme; ne he that shall a-complesshen it, is not yet be-geten. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxlvi. 311 He spared no thyng of his lustes ne desyres, but accomplysshed them after his lykyng. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, iii. iii. 124 And all the number of his faire demands Shall be accomplish'd without contradiction. 1611 Bible Prov. xiii. 19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soule. 1769 Burke State Nat. Wks. II. 43 The original great purposes of the war were more than accomplished by the treaty. 1878 Seeley Stein II. 511 What is here proposed, was, we know, actually accomplished..under the leadership of Alexander. |
† 2. intr. To carry out a design. Obs. rare.
| 1490 Caxton Eneydos v. 26 Thenne Eneas and alle his sequele (having) made theym redy for to accomplysshe and leve the sayd countrey..mounted upon the see. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xi. xxix. (1845) 44 It is ever the grounde of sapience, Before that thou accomplysh outwardly, For to revolve understandyng and prepence All in thy selfe full often inwardly. |
3. To bring to an end, complete, or finish (a work).
| 1447 O. Bokenham Lyv. Seyntys Introd. 1 (1835) The auctour..after hys cunnyng doth his labour To a complyse the begunne matere. 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. I. 161/2 The abbeie of Abington also he accomplished and set in good order. 1605 Thynne Advoc. in Animadv. (1865) 112 Therby to accomplish the quadrat number, the number of all perfection. 1855 Prescott Philip II, I. ii. i. 154 The work of the reformer was never accomplished so long as anything remained to reform. |
b. To complete (a portion of time).
| 1574 tr. Littleton's Tenures 22 b, After that shee had accomplished the age of xiiij. 1611 Bible Dan. ix. 2 The word of the Lord came to Ieremiah the Prophet, that he would accomplish seuentie yeeres in the desolations of Ierusalem. 1809 Kendall Trav. I. vi. 46 All such inhabitants in this state as have accomplished the age of twenty-one years. |
c. To complete (a distance).
| 1855 Prescott Philip II (1857) I. 120 Rising ground which lay between him and the French prevented him from seeing the enemy until he had accomplished half a league or more. 1860 Tyndall Glaciers i. §11. 86 We had accomplished our journey just in time. |
4. To complete with external appurtenances; to equip perfectly.
| 1588 Lambarde Eirenarcha i. xii. 65 Our Justices of the Peace..are accomplished with double power, the one of Jurisdiction, and the other of Coertion. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, iv. Chor. 12 The Armourers accomplishing the Knights, With busie Hammers closing Riuets vp. 1662 Fuller Worthies (1840) I. 367 The garden on the back side, with an artificial rock and wilderness, accomplisheth the place with all pleasure. 1673 Jordan London in Splend. in Heath Grocers' Comp. (1869) 509 Thus accomplish'd they march from their place of meeting to Clothworkers' Hall. 1813 Scott Rokeby v. iv, Those arms, those ensigns, borne away, Accomplished Rokeby's brave array. |
5. To perfect in mental acquirements and personal graces; to polish, to finish off.
| 1475 Caxton Jason 32 Jason was more and more in the graces of the ladyes, for the best born, the most fayre, the best accomplished..fyxed their loue in him. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. iv. iii. 13 Thou art a Gentleman: Valiant, wise, remorse-full, well-accomplish'd. 1639 Fuller Holy War (1840) Ep. Ded. 6 Next religion, there is nothing accomplisheth a man more than learning. 1726 Vanbrugh Journ. Lond. iii. (1730) 246 Every thing that accomplishes a fine Lady is practised, to the last perfection. 1842 Mrs. Browning Grk. Chr. Poets 176 From the Italian poets as well as the classical sources and the elder English ones, did Milton accomplish his soul. 1863 Cowden Clarke Shaksp. Char. xvi. 401 These qualities adorn the character of Portia, and these go to accomplish a perfect woman. |