WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : A*chieve"
Part of Speech : v. t. [imp. & p. p. Achieved; p. pr. & vb. n. Achieving.]
Etymology : [OE. acheven, OF. achever, achiever, F. achever, to finish; ? (L. ad) + OF. chief, F. chef, end, head, fr. L. caput head. See Chief.]
Definition : 1. To carry on to a final close; to bring out into a perfected state; to accomplish; to perform; -- as, to achieve a feat, an exploit, an enterprise. Supposing faculties and powers to be the same, far more may be achieved in any line by the aid of a capital, invigorating motive than without it. I. Taylor.

2. To obtain, or gain, as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win. Some are born great, some achieve greatness. Shak. Thou hast achieved our liberty. Milton.

Note: [[Obs]., with a material thing as the aim.] Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved. Prior. He hath achieved a maid That paragons description. Shak.

3. To finish; to kill. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- To accomplish; effect; fulfill; complete; execute; perform; realize; obtain. See Accomplish.


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913