4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  If  by  any  means  they  might  attain  to  Phenice.  --Acts 
  xxvii.  12. 
 
  Nor  nearer  might  the  dogs  attain.  --Sir  W. 
  Scott. 
 
  To  see  your  trees  attain  to  the  dignity  of  timber. 
  --Cowper. 
 
  Few  boroughs  had  as  yet  attained  to  power  such  as 
  this  --J.  R.  Green. 
 
  2.  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  --Ps.  cxxxix 
  6. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  Is  he  wise  who  hopes  to  attain  the  end  without  the 
  means?  --Abp. 
  Tillotson 
 
  2.  To  gain  or  obtain  possession  of  to  acquire.  [Obs.  with  a 
  material  object.]  --Chaucer. 
 
  3.  To  get  at  the  knowledge  of  to  ascertain.  [Obs.] 
 
  Not  well  attaining  his  meaning.  --Fuller. 
 
  4.  To  reach  or  come  to  by  progression  or  motion;  to  arrive 
  at  ``Canaan  he  now  attains.''  --Milton. 
 
  5.  To  overtake.  [Obs.]  --Bacon. 
 
  6.  To  reach  in  excellence  or  degree;  to  equal. 
 
  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 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Attain  \At*tain"\,  n. 
  Attainment.  [Obs.] 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  attain 
  v  1:  to  gain  with  effort:  "she  achieved  her  goal  despite 
  setbacks."  [syn:  {achieve},  {accomplish},  {reach}] 
  2:  reach  a  point  in  time,  or  a  certain  state  or  level;  "The 
  thermometer  hit  100  degrees";  "This  car  can  reach  a  speed 
  of  140  miles  per  hour"  [syn:  {reach},  {hit}] 
  3:  reach  a  destination,  either  real  or  abstract;  "We  hit 
  Detroit  by  noon";  "The  water  reached  the  doorstep";  "We 
  barely  made  the  plane";  "I  have  to  hit  the  MAC  machine 
  before  the  weekend  starts"  [syn:  {reach},  {make},  {hit},  {arrive 
  at},  {gain}] 

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