Attain (ăttān), 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.] 1. 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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2. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a material object.] Chaucer.
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3. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.]
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Not well attaining his meaning. Fuller.
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4. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at. “Canaan he now attains.” Milton.
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5. To overtake. [Obs.] Bacon.
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6. 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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Attain, n. Attainment. [Obs.]
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