achieve

achieve (əˈtʃiːv)

—vb
1.	to bring to a successful conclusion; accomplish; attain
2.	to gain as by hard work or effort: to achieve success

[C14: from Old French achever to bring to an end, from the phrase a chef to a head, to a conclusion]

a'chievable

—*adj*

a'chiever

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

achieve

early 14c., from O.Fr. achever "to finish," from phrase à chef (venir) "at an end, finished," or V.L. *accapare, from L.L. ad caput (venire); both the O.Fr. and L.L. phrases meaning lit. "to come to a head," from stem of L. caput "head" (see head).

Example sentences

They find delight in accomplishment as they achieve their goal of a toy out of

reach.

In a strange way, my failures in the academic world had helped me achieve that

goal on a bigger stage.

Many people struggle mightily to achieve and are of course disappointed by less

successful outcomes.

She put a clothespin on her nose and worked to bring her voice down a register,

to achieve clarity and depth.

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Matching Quote

"We must bear in mind the distinction between fame and honor. A virtuous person is an honorable person, a person who ought to be honored by the community in which he or she lives. But the virtuous person does not seek honor, being secure in his or her own self-respect. Lack of honor does not in any way detract from the efficacy of moral virtue as an indispensable operative means in the pursuit of happiness.... Those totally lacking in virtue may achieve fame as readily as, perhaps even more easily than those who are virtuous. Fame belongs to the great, the outstanding, the exceptional, without regard to virtue or vice. Infamy is fame no less than good repute. The great scoundrel can be as famous as the great hero; there can be famous villains as well as famous saints. Existing in the reputation a person has regardless of his or her accomplishments, fame does not tarnish as honor does when it is unmerited."

-Mortimer J. Adler