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attain

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The definition of attain is to gain or accomplish something with effort.

(verb)

Getting a PhD is an example of to attain.
Finding peace through dedicated meditation is an example of attain.

See attain in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to gain through effort; accomplish; achieve
to reach or come to; arrive at: he attained the age of ninety

Origin: ME attainen < OFr ataindre < L attingere < ad-, to + tangere, to touch: see tact

intransitive verb

to succeed in reaching or coming (to a goal)

Related Forms:

attainability noun
attainable adjective

See attain in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb at·tained, at·tain·ing, at·tains

verb, transitive

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.

verb, intransitive

To succeed in a directed effort, process, or progression: attained to high office; eventually attained to wisdom.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English atteignen

Origin: , from Old French ataindre, ataign-, to reach to

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *attangere

Origin: , from Latin attingere

Origin: : ad-, ad-

Origin: + tangere, to touch; see tag- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

at·tainˌa·bilˈi·ty, at·tainˈa·ble·ness noun

at·tainˈa·ble adjective

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