transitive verb attributed -·uted, attributing -·ut·ing

1. to set down or think of as belonging to, produced by, resulting from, or originating in; assign or ascribe (to) the play is attributed to Shakespeare
2. to ascribe as a quality or characteristic

Etymology: < L attributus, pp. of attribuere, to assign < ad-, to + tribuere, to assign < tribus: see tribe

noun

1. a characteristic or quality of a person or thing
2. an object used in literature or art as a symbol for a person, office, etc. winged feet are the attribute of Mercury
3. Gram. a word or phrase used adjectivally