attainn.
= attainment n.:
a. The action of attaining.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > [noun] > by care or effort
procuration1483
attainment1549
gaininga1556
attain1559
attaininga1568
procurement1569
consecution1601
procural1771
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Suffolk viii. 4 There is more glory in The keping thinges than is in their attayne.
1925 T. Hardy Human Shows 141 A painter of high attain.
b. The thing attained.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > [noun] > that which is obtained or acquired
strainc950
i-winc1000
winc1175
winninga1300
purchasec1325
by-gatec1330
getc1390
gettingc1400
acquisition1477
conquest1556
gleaning1576
acquiring1606
acquest1622
acquist1635
attain1661
obtainment1829
acquiree1950
1661 J. Glanvill Vanity of Dogmatizing xxiv. 237 Crowns and diadems, the most splendid parts of terrene attains.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
attainv.
/əˈteɪn/, U.S. /əˈteɪn/ I. transitive. To touch, strike, attaint. (All Obsolete)† 1. To get at with a blow, strike, hit; = attaint v. 1. Obsolete.† 2. To touch upon (a matter), mention, treat of, deal with. Obsolete. (So Latin attingere and Old French ateindre.)† 3. To catch or detect in an offence, convict, condemn, attaint n. Obsolete. [Common sense of Old French ateindre: compare Britton i. xxvii. §1 La forme de atteyndre nostre pes enfreynte. ‘The manner of convicting offenders for breach of our peace’; see also attainor n.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > succeed in striking
hentOE
hitc1275
atreachc1330
reacha1400
attain1477
attaint1523
nail1785
catch1820
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 20 And with his spere he was atteyned of the king..by suche a might that he percid the shelde.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > engage the attention [verb (transitive)] > mention
mingOE
to make mention ofc1300
attain1447
mentionatec1525
mention1530
mind1530
notice1611
notice1627
cite1691
citate1894
1447–8 in S. A. Moore Lett. & Papers J. Shillingford (1871) 42 The mater is attainyd at large in the comyn lawe.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > conviction or judicial condemnation > convict or condemn [verb (transitive)]
fordeemc1000
attain1330
filec1330
condemna1340
shape1340
dem1377
convictc1380
reprovea1382
damnc1384
overtakea1393
attainta1400
taintc1400
commita1425
vanquish1502
convincea1535
cast1536
convanquish1540
deprehend1598
forejudge1603
do1819
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 49 Knoute..siþen ateyned Edrik þorgh treson of old..Edrik was hanged on þe toure, for his trispas.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 5332 To reprove þam [his enmys] at þe last day, And to atteyn þam.
c1350 Harl. MS. No. 4196. 164 St. James 39 Pharisenes..went for to wit of his [Christ's] thewes, For to atteyn him in sum thing Þat þai might wrye him to the king.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 1601 He es ateyned for traytur, And fals and lither losenjoure.
II. transitive. To come so near as to touch, to overtake, reach, catch.† 4. To approach so as to touch, encroach on. Obsolete.† 5. To overtake, come up with, catch up, get at or within reach of, catch. Obsolete.† 9. To get to know, ‘get at,’ find out. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > moral impropriety > be morally improper for [verb (transitive)] > infringe or encroach on
attaina1382
pinchc1400
accroach1423
usurp1447
to usurp on or upon1493
invade?1521
encroachc1534
jetc1590
enjamb1600
to trench on or upon1622
trench1631
trample1646
to gain on or upon1647
trespass1652
impose1667
impinge1758
infringe1769
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Prov. xxiii. 10 Ne ateyne thou [a1425 L.V. Touche thou not] the termes of litle childer.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (transitive)] > gain (ground) upon > catch up or overtake
betakea1000
oftakelOE
overtakec1225
ofgoc1300
under-get1390
attain1393
overget?a1400
overgoc1425
gaincopec1440
overhiec1440
overhalec1540
overcatch1570
overhent1590
win1596
to grow on or upon1603
catcha1616
to fetch up1622
to fetch of, upon1659
overhaul1793
to meet up with1837
to catch up1838
to get past1857
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > catching or capture > catch or capture [verb (transitive)]
i-lecchec1000
fang1016
hentOE
takeOE
alatchlOE
catchc1275
wina1300
to take ina1387
attain1393
geta1400
overhent?a1400
restay?a1400
seizea1400
tachec1400
arrest1481
carrya1500
collara1535
snap1568
overgo1581
surprise1592
nibble1608
incaptivate1611
nicka1640
cop1704
chop1726
nail1735
to give a person the foot1767
capture1796
hooka1800
sniba1801
net1803
nib1819
prehend1831
corral1860
rope1877
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 128 The fire is hote..And brenneth what he may atteigne.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. i.vj/1 Smote..the sarasyns in suche wyse that them that they attayned dyd them neuer hurte after.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 272 The saisnes..slowgh alle that thei myght atteyne.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 278 The peple..be-gan to pursue the hoste, so that thei atteyned hem at a passage.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 174 The Earle..pursued with all celeritie..hoping to have ouer-taken the Scottish King..but not attaining him.
6.
a. To reach by motion, to arrive at, ‘gain’ (a point aimed at).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > arrival > arrive at or reach [verb (transitive)]
to come toOE
reachOE
hita1075
ofreachlOE
catchc1330
latchc1330
recovera1375
getc1390
henta1393
win?1473
fetch1589
to fetch up1589
obtain1589
attainc1592
make1610
gaina1616
arrive1647
advene1684
strike1798
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > reaching a point or place > reach (a point or place) [verb (transitive)]
areach1014
reachOE
ofreachlOE
overtakec1225
catchc1330
acomec1350
touchc1384
getc1390
to come at ——a1393
henta1393
overreacha1400
win?1473
aspire1581
obtain1589
attainc1592
make1610
gaina1616
acquire1665
advene1684
c1592 Faire Em sig. D2 We quickly shall attaine the English shore.
c1616 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) vi. 2667 By this time we th'appointed place attainde.
1805 R. Southey Madoc i. i. 7 Now had they almost attained The palace portal.
1855 J. S. C. Abbott Hist. Napoleon II. xviii. 335 The heroic marshal, however, attained the opposite shore.
b. To reach (an age or time).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > age > [verb (transitive)] > reach an age
attain1826
1826 W. M. Praed Poems (1865) I. 255 Sir Lidian had attained his sixteenth year.
7. To reach, arrive at, gain, accomplish, by continued effort (an end or purpose, a position, state, or personal quality).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > complete (an action or piece of work) [verb (transitive)] > reach or accomplish by effort
overcome?c1225
attain1393
achievea1569
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > make a success of [verb (transitive)] > succeed in or achieve a purpose
reacheOE
awinc1000
attain1393
speedc1400
comprehenda1450
escheve1489
to make out1535
consecute1536
compass1549
achievea1569
aspire1581
obtain1589
subdue1590
to go a long (also great, short, etc.) way1624
arrivea1657
kill1899
nail1981
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 184 That he his purpose might atteigne.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 1114 Þat he ne sal caim dede [sc. Cain's death] a-teign.
c1400 in T. Wright Polit. Poems & Songs (1859) II. 8 If thou myghtest parfit pes atteigne.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 3 Of whiche thyng we may now atteyne manifest knowledge.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. v. 21 Reason is not..borne with us..but attayned by Industry.
1660 R. Coke Elements Power & Subjection 262 in Justice Vindicated Yet were they so far from attaining their ends.
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) li. xi Let me the Life Divine attain.
1839 T. Keightley Hist. Eng. II. 32 His fame would never probably have attained its present eminence.
8. To come into the possession of, to gain by effort, acquire, obtain (a possession; not now used of a material thing). archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > obtain or acquire [verb (transitive)] > obtain or acquire in a certain way > by care or effort
begeteOE
findOE
bewinc1175
getc1175
conquerc1230
reachc1275
procurec1325
makec1350
fishc1374
catchc1384
furneya1400
attainc1405
tillc1440
to pick out1577
to get a gripe ofa1586
secure1743
raise1838
to get one's hooks on (also into)1926
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 67 Pacience..venquysseth..Thynges that rigour sholde neuere atteyne [v.r. atteigne, ateyne].
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 7 By whiche ye atteyne helpe of the holy gost.
1513 T. More Hist. Edward V 4 He attained the Crowne and Scepter of the Realme.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xxvi. 38 To atteyne therby the towne of Berwike.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 825/1 Manasses..dyd penaunce and attained mercy.
1638 F. Rous Heavenly Acad. x. 158 He teacheth them to attaine a Kingdome.
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Gothick Warre ii. 48 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Her Husband, who at first attained her Bed by violence.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. vii. 80 To concur with the Prince of Orange in attaining a free Parliament.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge, know [verb (transitive)] > attain to knowledge
inknowa1300
attainc1374
attaint1489
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. ii. i. 31 Þou hast now knowen and ataynt þe doutous or double visage of..fortune.
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iii. iii. 69 Þat fals beaute..is knowe and a-teint in þilke þinges.
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton E iiij Secretes that humayne nature may not attayne, knowe, ne understonde.
?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) ii. xxiv. sig. P iij To attayne the quantitie of this longer portion, ye shall thus worke.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. II. iii. v. §26. 180 Not well attaining his meaning.
1666 T. Fuller Hist. Cambr. Univ. (1840) 105 About this time, for I cannot attain the certain year.
III. intransitive. (The distance of the point reached, or the effort made, is more distinctly expressed by the intransitive const. with to, unto.)† 13. = 9, but with to, unto. Obsolete.
10. † b. Without locomotion: To reach. Obsolete.† c. To come by succession, descend (to). Obsolete.† d. To happen (to). to attain to = overtake, befall. Obsolete.
a. To come so far as, succeed in coming to, get (to). to attain to = reach, arrive at. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > arrival > arrive [verb (intransitive)]
to come toOE
comeOE
yworthOE
lend11..
lightc1225
overtakec1225
redea1275
wina1300
'rivec1300
repaira1325
applyc1384
to come ina1399
arrivec1400
attainc1400
alightc1405
to come to handc1450
unto-comec1450
apport1578
to get through1589
reach1591
to be along1597
land1679
engage1686
to get in1863
to breeze in1930
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > reaching a point or place > reach a point or place [verb (intransitive)] > arrive
comeOE
to come to townOE
yworthOE
lend11..
lightc1225
to come anovenonc1275
wina1300
'rivec1300
repaira1325
applyc1384
to come ina1399
rede?a1400
arrivec1400
attainc1400
alightc1405
to come to handc1450
unto-comec1450
apport1578
to be along1597
to drop in1609
to come ona1635
to walk in1656
land1679
engage1686
to come along1734
to get in1863
to turn up1870
to fall in1900
to lob1916
to roll up1920
to breeze in1930
to rock up1975
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 547 Bygyn at þe laste..Tyl to þe fyrste þat þou at-teny.
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems 4 To the Blakhethe whan the did atteyne.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Josh. xvii. D We shal not be able to attayne vnto the mountaynes.
1600 R. Armin Foole vpon Foole sig. B4v With much a doo they attained thether againe.
1611 Bible (King James) Acts xxvii. 12 If by any meanes they might attaine to Phenice. View more context for this quotation
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake i. 10 Nor nearer might the dogs attain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > nearness > be near [verb (intransitive)] > be in contact > extend so far as to touch
attain1587
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xi. 184 God..atteyneth to them without putting himself foorth.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica v. vi. 241 The second lay so with his backe towards the first, that his head attained about his bosome. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > succession > descend by succession [verb (intransitive)]
comeOE
attain1413
succeed1536
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle iv. vii. 61 To whome the synne of Adam hath atteyned by very succession and descent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)] > happen to
tocomeeOE
limpc888
i-timeOE
alimpOE
comeOE
on-becomeOE
tidec1000
befallc1175
betidec1175
betimea1225
fallc1225
time?c1225
yfallc1275
timea1325
happena1393
to run upon ——a1393
behapa1450
bechance1530
succeeda1533
attaina1535
behappen1596
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) iii. iii. sig. O.i We shal nede no rehearsal of any harme, that..maye attayne therto.
11. To live on (to a time or age).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > continuance or tenacity of life > continue in life [verb (intransitive)] > to a time or age
attain1535
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Esdras xi. 17 There shal none after ye atteyne vnto thy tyme.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xlvii. 9 And haue not attained vnto the dayes of the yeeres of the life of my fathers. View more context for this quotation
1885 N.E.D. at Attain Mod. He has attained to years of discretion.
12. † b. with infinitive of purpose. Obsolete.
a. To reach, or arrive at, a state, condition, purpose, possession; to succeed in reaching. Cf. 7, 8.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > complete or conclude action [verb (intransitive)] > achieve an end or condition by progress
acomeOE
wina1300
chevec1300
attainc1375
reacha1400
achievec1400
geta1425
sort1543
c1375 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. ix, in Sel. Wks. (1869) I. 23 No conquerrour myȝte atteyne to Lordship of al þis erþe.
c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 391 Sche may unto a knave childe atteigne By liklihed, sith sche nys not bareigne.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos vi. 26 He sholde attayne to thende of his desire.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxxxviii. 5 Soch knowlege is to wonderfull..for me, I can not atteyne vnto it.
1609 D. Rogers in Digby Myst. (1882) App. p. xiv It cannot be attaynd vnto in this liffe.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes ii. 47 Infallibility..being what no Man can attain unto.
1782 W. Cowper Let. 11 Nov. (1981) II. 88 To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People ii. §6. 90 Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > achieve success (of persons) > succeed in doing anything
wina1300
covera1375
gaina1375
to prevail to1474
to make shift of1504
attain1523
obtaina1529
frame1545
procure1559
to finish to1594
succeed1839
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xv. 15 Where as he thought to..attaigne to haue any company of men of warre.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Worc. 174 He..attained to be a most accomplished person.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge of [verb (intransitive)] > get to know
attain1530
reach1582
to get wind of1809
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 439/2 I study tyll my braynes ake to perceyve this mater, but I can nat attayne to it.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 1168/1 Neither they nor I haue yet atteined to their names.
1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. Pref. The certain time wee cannot yet attain unto.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > extend so far as to touch
reachc1225
attaina1375
stretcha1500
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 5498 Here riȝt arm redeli ouer rome a-teyned.
1432–50 tr. Higden (1865) I The see Tyren atteynethe to Ytaly [L. attinet ad Italiam].
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxiii. sig. Ov Wyth great chaines of yren attaining fro one house, to an other.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (intransitive)]
reckeOE
recka1250
attainc1374
beforcec1375
pertaina1382
concern1477
import1539
signifya1616
to trench into (unto)1621
to bear (a) (great) state1623
urge1654
relate1655
bulk1672
refer1677
argufy1751
to be no small drinka1774
tell1779
reckon1811
to count for (much, little, nothing, etc.)1857
to stand for something (or nothing)1863
shout1876
count1885
mind1915
rate1926
the mind > possession > acquisition > obtain or acquire [verb (transitive)] > as something desired or advantageous
findOE
winc1000
betellc1275
getc1330
reapa1350
craftc1350
attainc1374
achievea1393
embrace?c1475
conquer1477
consecute1536
gain1570
lucrify1570
compass1609
raise1611
lucrate1623
reconcile1665
engage1725
to pull off1860
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. ii. vii. 59 What atteiniþ fame to swiche folk.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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