GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Attain , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attained ; 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.]
   To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
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   Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means?
   Abp. Tillotson.
   
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   To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a material object.]
   Chaucer.
   
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   To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.]
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   Not well attaining his meaning.
   Fuller.
   
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   To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at. “Canaan he now attains.”  
   Milton.
   
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   To overtake. [Obs.]
   Bacon.
   
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   To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
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   Syn. -- To Attain, Obtain, Procure.  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.
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2.       
   Attain, v. i.
   To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach.
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   If by any means they might attain to Phenice.
   Acts xxvii. 12.
   
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   Nor nearer might the dogs attain.
   Sir W. Scott.
   
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   To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
   Cowper.
   
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   Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this.
   J. R. Green.
   
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   To come or arrive, by an effort of mind.
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   Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can not attain unto it.
   Ps. cxxxix. 6.
   
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3.       
   Attain, n. Attainment. [Obs.]
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