Attain — At*tain ([a^]t*t[=a]n ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attained} ( t[=a]nd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Attaining}.] [Of. atteinen, atteignen, atainen, OF. ateindre, ataindre, F. atteindre, fr. L. attingere; ad + tangere to touch, reach. See {Tangent}, and cf.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Attain — At*tain , v. i. 1. To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach. [1913 Webster] If by any means they might attain to Phenice. Acts xxvii. 12. [1913 Webster] Nor nearer might the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
attain — c.1300, to succeed in reaching, from stem of O.Fr. ataindre (11c., Mod.Fr. atteindre) to come up to, reach, attain, endeavor, strive, from V.L. *adtangere, from L. attingere to touch, to arrive at, from ad to (see AD (Cf. ad )) + tangere to touch … Etymology dictionary
Attain — At*tain , n. Attainment. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
attain — *reach, compass, gain, achieve Analogous words: *come, arrive: win, acquire, secure, obtain, *get: accomplish, effect (see PERFORM) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
attain — [v] achieve, accomplish accede to, acquire, arrive, arrive at, bring off, come through, complete, cop*, earn, effect, fulfill, gain, get*, get fat*, get hands on, get there, glom onto*, grasp, hit, latch onto, make it, obtain, procure, promote,… … New thesaurus
attain — ► VERB 1) succeed in accomplishing. 2) reach (a specified age, size, or amount). DERIVATIVES attainable adjective. ORIGIN Latin attingere, from tangere to touch … English terms dictionary
attain — [ə tān′] vt. [ME attainen < OFr ataindre < L attingere < ad , to + tangere, to touch: see TACT] 1. to gain through effort; accomplish; achieve 2. to reach or come to; arrive at [he attained the age of ninety] vi. to succeed in reaching… … English World dictionary
attain — 01. It will be difficult to [attain] your goal of fluency if you don t make an effort to speak more in class. 02. The world s largest snakes can [attain] a length of more than 9 yards. 03. The car [attains] its top speed of 180 kmh within seconds … Grammatical examples in English
attain — attainer, n. /euh tayn /, v.t. 1. to reach, achieve, or accomplish; gain; obtain: to attain one s goals. 2. to come to or arrive at, esp. after some labor or tedium; reach: to attain the age of 96; to attain the mountain peak. v.i. 3. to arrive… … Universalium
