v. & n.
--v.tr. (usu. foll. by to)
1. regard as belonging or appropriate to (a poem attributed to Shakespeare).
2 ascribe to; regard as the effect of a stated cause (the delays were attributed to the heavy traffic).
--n.
1. a a quality ascribed to a person or thing. b a characteristic quality.
2 a material object recognized as appropriate to a person, office, or status (a large car is an attribute of seniority).
3 Gram. an attributive adjective or noun.
Derivatives:
attributable adj. attribution n.
Etymology: ME f. L attribuere attribut- (as AD-, tribuere assign): (n.) f. OF attribut or L attributum