achievement (achevment)

[F. achève ment, completion, an obtaining by exertion; accomplishment: as, the achievement of one's object. Capable of high achievement as a writer of romance. Athenœum, No. 3067, p. 172. 2. That which is achieved; a great or heroic deed; something accomplished by valor, boldne , or superior ability. Shak ., T. and C., iv. 2. How my achievements mock me! Illustrious judges have declared that Galileo's conception of the laws of Motion is his greatest achievement. G. H. Lewes, Probs. of Life and Mind, I. i. § 48. 3. In her., an escutcheon or armorial shield. The proper expre ion is "achievement of arms," and sign i ties a complete heraldic composition, whether the shield alone or the shield with crest, motto, and supporters, if any. The term achievement is applied especially to the escutcheon of a deceased person displayed at his obsequies, over his tomb, etc., distinctively called a funeral achieve ment, or more commonly a hatchment (which see). = Syn. 2. Deed, Feat, Exploit, etc. See feat1. achiever (a-che'ver), n. One who achieves or accomplishes. We are well accustomed to the sight of a fresh young girl, a close student, a fine achiever,... sinking...into an aching, ailing, moping creature. E. S. Phelps , quoted in Sex and Education, p. 133.