v.; 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. accomplĕre (f. ac- = ad- to + complĕre to fill up, complete): see -ISH.]
1. trans. To fulfil, perform, or carry out (an undertaking, design, desire, promise, etc.).
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melibeus, 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. Shaks., 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 by, or at least 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 & leve the sayd countrey of Trase … mounted vpon 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. 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. trans. 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. Shaks., 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. Shaks., 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, Gr. 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.
