Achieve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Achieved; p. pr. & vb. n. Achieving.]
Etymology: [OE. acheven, OF. achever, achiever, F. achever, to finish; à (L. ad) + OF. chief, F. chef, end, head, fr. L. caput head. See Chief.]
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.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To accomplish; effect; fulfill; complete; execute; perform; realize; obtain. See Accomplish.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for achieve; he lists it under attain, do, get, succeed.
Where he writes about it:
Achieve--to do something worthy of a chief--signifies always to perform some great and generally some worthy exploit. — from do
We finish a garment or a letter, complete an edifice or a life-work, consummate a bargain or a crime, discharge a duty, effect a purpose, execute a command, fulfil a promise, perform our daily tasks, realize an ideal, accomplish a design, achieve a victory. — from do