v., -tained, -tain·ing, -tains. v.tr.
- To gain as an objective; achieve: attain a diploma by hard work.
- To arrive at, as by virtue of persistence or the passage of time. See synonyms at reach.
To succeed in a directed effort, process, or progression: attained to high office; eventually attained to wisdom.
[Middle English atteignen, from Old French ataindre, ataign-, to reach to, from Vulgar Latin *attangere, from Latin attingere : ad-, ad- + tangere, to touch.]
attainability at·tain'a·bil'i·ty or at·tain'a·ble·ness n.attainable at·tain'a·ble adj.





