Achievement, n.
Etymology: [Cf. F. achèvement, E. Hatchment.]
1. The act of achieving or performing; an obtaining by exertion; successful performance; accomplishment; as, the achievement of his object.
2. A great or heroic deed; something accomplished by valor, boldness, or praiseworthy exertion; a feat. [The exploits] of the ancient saints . . . do far surpass the most famous achievements of pagan heroes. Barrow. The highest achievements of the human intellect. Macaulay.
3. (Her.)
An escutcheon or ensign armorial; now generally applied to the funeral shield commonly called hatchment. Cussans.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for achievement; he lists it under act, end, victory, work.
Where he writes about it:
As between act and deed, deed is commonly used of great, notable, and impressive acts, as are achievement, exploit, and feat. — from act
An exploit is a conspicuous or glorious deed, involving valor or heroism, usually combined with strength, skill, loftiness of thought, and readiness of resource; an achievement is the doing of something great and noteworthy; an exploit is brilliant, but its effect may be transient; an achievement is solid, and its effect enduring. — from act
In the latter sense any hard-won achievement, advantage, or success may be termed a victory. — from victory
Synonyms
actendvictoryworkaccomplishmentactionadvantageboundboundarybusinesscessationclosecompletionconclusionconquestconsequenceconsummationdeeddesigndoingdrudgeryeffectemploymentexecutionexerciseexertionexpirationexploitextentextremityfeatfinalefinisfinishfulfilmentgoalintentissuelaborlimitmasterymotionmovementoccupationoperationoutcomeperformanceperiodpointproceedingproductproductionpurposeresultsuccesssupremacyterminationterminustiptoiltransactiontriumphutmostuttermost