at·tain (ə-tān') v. at·tained, at·tain·ing, at·tains v. tr.
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; see tag- in Indo-European roots.] at·tain'a·bil'i·ty, at·tain'a·ble·ness n., at·tain'a·ble adj. |