Attain

Definition of Attain

At`tain´ Pronunciation: ăt`tān´

v. t.	1.	To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest. [imp. & p. p. Attained (-tānd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Attaining.] Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means? - Abp. Tillotson.
	2.	To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire.
	3.	To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. Not well attaining his meaning. - Fuller.
	4.	To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at.
	5.	To overtake.
	6.	To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
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.
n.	1.	Attainment.

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