From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [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 the Whigs" [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, success, succeeder]
[ant: failure, loser, nonstarter, {unsuccessful
person}]
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.]
[1913 Webster]
Then all the sons of these five brethren reigned
By due success. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. That which comes after; hence, consequence, issue, or
result, of an endeavor or undertaking, whether good or
bad; the outcome of effort.
[1913 Webster]
Men . . . that are like to do that, that is
committed to them, and to report back again
faithfully the success. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
Perplexed and troubled at his bad success
The tempter stood. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
3. The favorable or prosperous termination of anything
attempted; the attainment of a proposed object; prosperous
issue.
[1913 Webster]
Dream of success and happy victory! --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Or teach with more success her son
The vices of the time to shun. --Waller.
[1913 Webster]
Military successes, above all others, elevate the
minds of a people. --Atterbury.
[1913 Webster]
4. That which meets with, or one who accomplishes, favorable
results, as a play or a player. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]