Etymology : Middle English atteynen, from Old French ataindre, from Vulgar Latin attangere, alteration of Latin attingere, from ad- + tangere to touch; more at TANGENT
Pronunciation : &-'tAn
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. reach, achieve, fulfill (goal, desire, etc.). attain\at*tain"\, n. attainment. [obs.]attain \at*tain"\, v. i.
2. to come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach. if by any means they might attain to phenice. i.
3. nor nearer might the dogs attain. w. scott. to see:
your trees attain to the dignity of timber. few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this. r. green.
4. to come or arrive, by an effort of mind. such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, i can not attain unto it. cxxxix. 6.attain \at*tain"\ (ăt*tān"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. attained (-tānd"); 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.].
5. to achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest. is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means? tillotson.
6. to gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [obs. with a material object.].
7. to get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [obs.] not well attaining his meaning.
8. to reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at. "canaan he now attains.".
9. to overtake. [obs.].
10. to reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
11. To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
12. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire.
13. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain.
14. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at.
15. To overtake.
16. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
17. To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach.
18. To come or arrive, by an effort of mind.
19. Attainment.
20. 1. If you attain something, you gain it or achieve it, often after a lot of effort. Jim is halfway to attaining his pilot's licence.
21. If you attain a particular state or condition, you may reach it as a result of natural development or work hard to attain this state. attaining a state of calmness and confidence.