From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
success
n 1: an event that accomplishes its intended purpose; "let's call
heads a success and tails a failure"; "the election was
a remarkable success for Republicans" [ant: failure]
2: an attainment that is successful; "his success in the
marathon was unexpected"; "his new play was a great
success"
3: a state of prosperity or fame; "he is enjoying great
success"; "he does not consider wealth synonymous with
success" [ant: failure]
4: a person with a record of successes; "his son would never be
the achiever that his father was"; "only winners need
apply"; "if you want to be a success you have to dress
like a success" [syn: achiever, winner, succeeder]
[ant: failure]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Success \Suc*cess"\, n. [L. successus: cf. F. succ[`e]s. See
Succeed.]
1. Act of succeeding; succession. [Obs.]
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Then all the sons of these five brethren reigned
By due success. --Spenser.
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2. That which comes after; hence, consequence, issue, or
result, of an endeavor or undertaking, whether good or
bad; the outcome of effort.
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Men . . . that are like to do that, that is
committed to them, and to report back again
faithfully the success. --Bacon.
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Perplexed and troubled at his bad success
The tempter stood. --Milton.
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3. The favorable or prosperous termination of anything
attempted; the attainment of a proposed object; prosperous
issue.
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Dream of success and happy victory! --Shak.
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Or teach with more success her son
The vices of the time to shun. --Waller.
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Military successes, above all others, elevate the
minds of a people. --Atterbury.
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4. That which meets with, or one who accomplishes, favorable
results, as a play or a player. [Colloq.]
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