different between compose vs accomplish

English

Etymology

From Middle English composen, from Old French composer (“to compose, compound, adjust, settle”), from com- + poser, as an adaptation of Latin componere (“to put together, compose”), from com- (“together”) + ponere (“to put, place”)

Pronunciation

• (General American) enPR: k?m-p?z?, IPA^(key): /k?m?po?z/
• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: k?m-p?z?, IPA^(key): /k?m?p??z/
• Rhymes: -??z

Verb

compose (third-person singular simple present composes, present participle composing, simple past and past participle composed)

1. (transitive) To make something by merging parts. [from later 15th c.]
   • December 22 1678, Thomas Sprat, A Sermon Preached before the King at White-Hall

     Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection.

2. (transitive) To make up the whole; to constitute.

   • A few useful things […] compose their intellectual possessions.

3. (transitive, nonstandard) To comprise.
4. (transitive or intransitive) To construct by mental labor; to think up; particularly, to produce or create a literary or musical work.
   • 1714, Alexander Pope, Imitation of Horace, Book II. Sat. 6

     Let me […] compose / Something in Verse as true as Prose.

   • 1838, Benjamin Haydon, Painting, and the fine arts

     the genius that composed such works as the "Standard" and "Last Supper"

5. (sometimes reflexive) To calm; to free from agitation.

   • Compose thy mind; / Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed.

6. To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.
7. To settle (an argument, dispute etc.); to come to a settlement.
   • 2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, Atlantic 2011, p. 280:

     By trying his best to compose matters with the mullahs, he had sincerely shown that he did not seek a violent collision […]

8. To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.

   • In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.
9. (printing, dated) To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.

Synonyms

• (make up the whole): constitute, form; see also Thesaurus:compose

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

French

Verb

compose

1. first-person singular present indicative of composer
2. third-person singular present indicative of composer
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of composer
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of composer
5. second-person singular imperative of composer

Italian

Verb

compose

1. third-person singular past historic of comporre

English

Etymology

From Middle English accomplisshen, acomplissen, from Old French acompliss-, extended stem of acomplir (Modern French accomplir), from a- (“to”) (from Latin ad) + complir (or possibly through a Vulgar Latin root *accompl?re), from Vulgar Latin *compl?re, from Latin compl?re (“to fill up, fill out, complete”); see complete.

First attested in the late 14th century.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??k?m.pl??/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??k?m.pl??/
• (Canada) IPA^(key): /??k?m.pl??/
• (General New Zealand, General Australian) IPA^(key): /??k?m.pl??/
• Hyphenation: a?ccom?plish

Verb

accomplish (third-person singular simple present accomplishes, present participle accomplishing, simple past and past participle accomplished)

1. (transitive) To finish successfully.
2. (transitive) To complete, as time or distance.
   • 1611, King James Version, Daniel 9:2

     That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

   • 1856-1858, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip II

     He had accomplished half a league or more.

3. (transitive) To execute fully; to fulfill; to complete successfully.
   • 1611, King James Version, Luke 22:37

     This that is written must yet be accomplished in me

4. (transitive, archaic) To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.
   • 1638, John Wilkins, The Discovery of a World in the Moone

     It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those ends to which Providence did appoint it.

   • 1863, Charles Cowden Clarke, Shakespeare's Characters

     These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman.

5. (transitive, obsolete) To gain; to obtain.
6. (transitive, Philippine English) to fill out a form

Synonyms

• do, perform, fulfill, realize, effect, effectuate, complete, consummate, execute, achieve, perfect, equip, furnish, carry out

Derived terms

• accomplishment

Related terms

• complete
• comply

Translations

References

Further reading

• accomplish at OneLook Dictionary Search
• accomplish in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• accomplish in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.