英文字典中文字典51ZiDian.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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]


Attain \At*tain"\, n.
Attainment. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]


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 dogs attain. --Sir W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]

To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
--Cowper.
[1913 Webster]

Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as
this. --J. R. Green.
[1913 Webster]

2. To come or arrive, by an effort of mind.
[1913 Webster]

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high,
I can not attain unto it. --Ps. cxxxix.
6.
[1913 Webster]