v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' t ā n
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English atteynen, from Anglo-French ateign-, stem of ateindre to reach, accomplish, convict, from Vulgar Latin *attangere, alteration of Latin attingere, from ad- + tangere to touch ― more at TANGENT
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to reach as an end : GAIN , ACHIEVE < attain a goal>
2 : to come into possession of : OBTAIN <he attain ed preferment over his fellows>
3 : to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement <they attain ed the top of the hill> < attain a ripe old age>
intransitive verb : to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort ― usually used with to
– at · tain · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ t ā -n ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– at · tain · able \ - ' t ā -n ə -b ə l \ adjective