accomplere

Accomplere is a Latin verb meaning to accomplish, complete, or fulfill. It is a compound formed from the prefix ad- (toward) and the verb complere (to fill, to complete), and it is typically associated with late Latin and ecclesiastical Latin texts. In classical Latin, the more common verb for “to fill up” or “to complete” is complere (and its related form compleo), but accomplere appears in later usage as a close synonym or in specific constructions.

Etymology and form: The form accomplere reflects Latin prefixation where ad- attaches to the base complere, yielding a nuance of bringing something toward completion. Because accomplere is a prefixed form of complere, it generally follows the same conjugation pattern as complere (a second-conjugation verb in Latin). In dictionaries, accomplere is typically described as a compound verb with essentially the same core semantics as complere, namely to fill up, to complete, or to bring to an end.

Usage in Latin and descendants: In Latin, accomplere occurs chiefly in Late Latin and medieval Latin contexts. It is also the ancestor of the Romance verbs seen in later languages, such as French accomplir and Italian acccomplire (Italian primarily uses completare or accompiere, depending on dialect). The sense remains close to English “to accomplish”: to bring about, to perform, or to complete a task or obligation.

English connection: The English verb accomplish derives from Old French accomplir, which itself comes from Latin ad- + complere. The noun accomplish-ment and the adjective accomplished share this lineage, with the same core meaning of achieving a result or completing a task.

See also: complere, completus, complete, accomplishment, accomplish.