achievement English · revision 5683

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1475|origins=fro achevement}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈtʃiːv.mənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|xno|achevement|t=a finishing]], French achèvement,^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|fro|achever|t=to finish, accomplish]] (see [[achieve]]) and [[m|fro|-ment]];^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the SOED also allows a formation in English from achieve and [[-ment]].^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of achieving or completing: 1475 in the OED, the late 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In heraldry, an achievement was a coat of arms granted in memory of a distinguished feat (1548), especially one displayed when a person of rank died; its worn-down form is [[hatchment]].^(OED 1989)^(Trench 1859)^(Collins 2023) A thing achieved by effort, a feat, is from 1593, the 1590s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) In psychology, performance in a standardized test, as in ''achievement test'', is from 1921, chiefly American.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1475 – completion.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1548 – a heraldic achievement.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1593 – a feat.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1921 – ''achievement test''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something done successfully, especially with effort, [[skill]] or [[courage]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of achieving or completing something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(heraldry)'' A display of a [[coat of arms]]; a [[hatchment]].^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[achievement age]]

+ * [[achievement quotient]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[achieve]]

+ * [[hatchment]]

+ * [[chief]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}