Attaining
- 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. {Attinge}, {Attaint}.]
1. To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to
gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
[1913 Webster]
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means? --Abp. Tillotson. [1913 Webster]
2. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a material object.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
3. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Not well attaining his meaning. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]
4. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at. ``Canaan he now attains.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]
5. To overtake. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
6. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal. [1913 Webster]
Syn: To {Attain}, {Obtain}, {Procure}.
Usage: Attain always implies an effort toward an object. Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such effort or motion. We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by such means. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
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