attains
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of attain
Source: Wiktionary
At*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attained; p. pr. & vb. n. Attaining.] Etym: [Of. atteinen, atteignen, , 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. 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.
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.
At*tain", n.
Definition: Attainment. [Obs.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
29 March 2025
(adjective) without care or thought for others; “the thoughtless saying of a great princess on being informed that the people had no bread; ‘Let them eat cake’”
International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.
