achieve

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To succeed in reaching a goal, usually through effort.

   I achieved my goal despite many setbacks.

2. 2
   verb

   To gain or win something as a result of hard work.

   The film achieved great success at the box office.

From Middle English achieven, acheven, from Anglo-Norman achever, Old French achever, achiever et al., apparently from Late Latin *accapāre, from ad (“to”) + caput (“head”) + -ō (verbal suffix), or alternatively a construction based on Old French chief (“head”). Compare Catalan, Occitan, Portuguese and Spanish acabar, French achever.

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